The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1888.

Evening Star, Issue 7469, 13 March 1888, Page 2

The Evening Star TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1888.

The Senate of the New Zealand University, in the exercise of patronage, Tlie Senate* wou id Beem to be influenced by Examiners. wn<lt mav be termed family considerations rather than by •'the selection of the fittest." At least three of the recently appointed law examiners have near relatives in the Senate, whilst their qualifications are certainly not above, and their experience far below, that of numberaof theprofessionwhoarepassed over. Taking the moEt favorable view, it must be admitted as a strange coincidence that in three instances the Senate should be open to the suspicion of nepotism. The appointment of another law examiner is also open to criticism, as he is a young man who has only been admitted a couple of years, and half that time has been practising in a country town. We have been induced to refer to the subject because it is understood to be the purpose of the Otago University Council at their next meeting to appoint an assistant law lecturer. This appointment, although not of much, if any, pecuniary value at present, is of course a stepping-stone to better things, and confers a professional status. There are on the books of the Otigo University several graduates in law of the University of New Zealand, and it would seem fitting and proper that one of these should be selected; but an active canvass among members of the Council is notoriously being made, on behalf of a gentleman, well qualified no doubt, who has but recently returned to the colony, having graduated in law at the London University. Ceteris paribus, should not preference be given to the local man ?

At the Auckland criminal session yesterday William Doyle, sixteen years of age, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for horse-stealing.

Judge Smith has declared three of the moderate party elected as a licensing committee for Auckland East, the other .candidates of that party being disqualified, A petition against glove fights, signed by 463 women, has been presented to the Wanganui Borough Council, who decided, in licensing public buildings, to prohibit such exhibitions.

The Mayor, several of the councillors, and a number of the citizens of Port Chalmers paid a visit to H.M.S. Calliope this forenoon, being conveyed off to the vessel by the steam launch Kate. The Victorian Government propose to in troduce a Bill to prevent foreign manufactures, purporting to be of British workmanship, from gaining entrance to the colony in a false character.

Tho hailstorm which fell for about half an hour yesterday afternoon was one of the heaviest that has been experienced here for a very long time. It was, however, quite local, and was not even experienced at the North-east Valley. We have not heard of any damage being done. The only business at the Port Chalmers Police Court this forenoon was the adjourned case R. Bauchop v. D. Hood, claim L 3 15s sd, for timber supplied. Mr J. A. D. Adams appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Solomon for defendant. After hearing the .evidence of a witness named Granville, the presiding magistrates (Messrs J. R. Monson and J. Morgan) non.suited plaintiff. The total receipts of the Fire Brigades' Demonstration were L 692, and the expenses L 474. The committee decided to purchase another chemical engine for Christchurch, to award a prize of L 3 3s to the model lifesaving apparatus shown by Wellington Brigade, and to forward a donation of L 5 to the South Dunedin Brigade towards the fund for the relief of M'Cutcheon's family. The Dunedin Athenaeum Committee met laot niaht, there being present Dr Colquhoun (in the chair), Messrs J. R. Sinclair, W. S. Fitzgerald, 0. H. Chapman, Professor Mainwaring Brown, D. Reid (gun.), W. M'Adam, D. White, J. G. Mopdy, and W. B. Harlow. The business was of a routine character. The suggestion book was considered, and some of the tooks mentioned therein were ordered to be obtained. It was resolved to add oayeral works, including the later volumes of the ' Encyclopedia Britannica,' to the rofeaeace library. A Wellington a few days ago recorded tt»e dejuth by drowning, while bathing, of a boy »f»£ed Whiterod. The « »Vairarapa'Observer' thus iells the story of the poor youth's self-sacrifice last he should involve others in the fatality;— ''The poor lad, whose age was fifteen, seen.e to have been seized with cramp, and Kottins beyond his depth, disappeared before tho eyco .of his younger brother and anothor boy. Tiio brother jumped into the water to render assistance, and stretched ont his hand for that purpose; but tho 4rownir.fi boy had strength oMB/jh to say <No I won't; we'll botjh be and went under. On coming to the surface, he Kwipcd ' UooA'fcyo ; remember me to mother and fathor,' and then .d&appewed *° rIBe i no more alivo."

The following new Juuticos of the Peace have been appointed : Messrs David Baxter (Dunedin), 0. M. Hell (Wantwood), James Beattio (Oorc), H. Donniston (Dunedin), W. Dixon (Portobello), Neil Fleming (Oamaru). C. E. Gudgeon (Queenstown), William Hay (Cljjtha), James M'.Kay (Waihola), James Mair (Tapanui), Henry Mackenzie(Dunedin), Thom*s M'Loan(Winton), T Meek (Oamaru), W. Nobie (Ak*fore), A. S. Ottewon (Oamaru), P. G. Pryde (»»»' edin), Robert Raynbird, sen. (Dunedin), A. G Reid(Hawk»bnry), James Reid (Queenstown), Alfred Reynolds (Stewart Island), W J. Sanderson (Oamaru), Dr Stacpoole (Cromwell), W. G. Stronaeh (Cromwein David Wishart (Dunedin), James Wilson (Wftianawa), Dr Drysdale. (Port (Chalmers), R. Ewing (Palmerston).

Mr Aldiidge will lecture to-night in the Choral Hall on " The En 1 of Evil ami Suffering of Every Kind." The ' Colonial Military Gazette' continues to devote a good deal of its space to volunteer matters in this colony.

Mr Callis, secretary to the Exhibition Commissioners, has forwarded to us a complete list of Exhibition regulation forms, which oan be inspected by those interested. in addition to the names already advertised, Mrs Ko : e, Misses Marshall and Rich, and Messrs Adams and Timaon will assist at flerr Eenno Scherek's farewell concert.

The Bank of Australasia's half-yearly dividend, at the rate of Ll2 per cent, per annum, will be payable on and after April G. LI 2,000, balance of profit, is carried forward.

An application for a receiving-box at the Leith Valley School-house was made by Mr Downie Stewart, M.H.R., recently to the PostmasterGeneral, who has replied stating that the letterbox has been authorised and will be opened forthwith. The half-yearly report and balance-sheet of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand appears on our third page. The directors propose to add LI.OCO to the reserve fund, pay a dividend at the rate of 7 per cent, per annnm, and carry forward a balance of L 4.126 10a 2d. Court St. Andrew, No. 6,127, A.0.F.. held their ordinary fortnightly meeting last evening at Caversham. There was a good attendance of members, who after business was transacted enjoyed themselves with harmony. It was resolved to pay an official visit to Court Enterprise this evening. Our musical people are gradually leaving us for Australia. By the steamer which takes Mr Scherek to Melbourne at the end of this month Mr James Jago will also be a passenger, he having accepted an engagement for six months under Miss Amy Sherwin. Mr Jago will assist at the Sherwin English opera season during tho Victorian Exhibition time.

The full programme of the concert to be given in aid of tho Irish Rifles at the Garrison Hall on St. Patrick's Eve appears in our advertising columns. The vocalists include Miss Mary Hume, Miss Corrigan, Messrs Rounert, Jago, Umbers, and Ibbotson; Major Callan, will give a reading ; and the Garrison Band will play selections. Mr Barth i 3 the accompanist. A largo number of seats are being booked at the Dresden Piano Dtpfit for Mr Gates's benefit, which takc3 place at the Princess's to-morrow evening, and altogether the affair promises to be a success. At this time it may not bo uninteresting to our readers to give a remmiol Mr Catea'a professional career. He made his first professional appearance as Heinrich Vedder in 'Rip Van Winkle,'at the Theatre Royal, Ipswich, during the dramatic season of 187 G. Long seasons in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Livorpool followed, and in 1877 Mr Gates went to the Continent for the purpose of studying the French and German schools of acting. Profited by his studies he returned to England, where he made rapid headway, securing Important engagements at the Globe, Philharmonic, and Imperial theatres in tho metropolis, besides playing successful seasons in the provinces. In 1879 an offer came from Mr Arthur Garner, of the Triumvirate, and Mr Cates shortly afterwards made his first appearance in Melbourne with Fred Marshall, of the London Comedy Company, in ' Friends.' An eminently successful tour with Mr "Wybert Reo«-e followed, and then came an offer from the late W. E. Sheridan to play " leads." In 1884 ' Youth' and ' Lights o' London' gavo Mr Cates the opportunity of identifying himself with tho parts of Frank Darlington and Harold Armytage, and it is in connec ion with these two impersonation-) that he is chiefly remembered here. Hia Australasian career since then is well known to local patrons of the drama. As a Shakespearian actor his experience- has been extensive—his 'Hamlet' and 'lago' having been exceedingly favorably criticised. On Wednesday evening Mr Oates will recite some of his best selections, and we hope to see a good house. Mrs W. Angus and Messrs Smith, Umbere, M'Carthy, Jago, Vallis, and others will assist in a musical way, and Mr Harry Norman will appear also as a reciter.