The Evening Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1890.

Evening Star, Issue 8116, 16 January 1890, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 1890.

Mr G. R. Parkin, the Canadian delegate, who was in the colony last year, speaking at the London Mansion House lately on Imperial Federation, described New Zealand as “ one of the most beautiful countries of the world.”

The following is the latest circular issued by the Defence Department:—“ For the year 1890, and until further orders, the sum which may he voted by Parliament for prize firing will he distributed pro rala according to the strength of the volunteer force in districts ; and the officers commanding corps will form a committee, which will determine whether the sum allowed is to be distributed to corps or fired for as general district prizes. It is farther notified that prizes are to be decided in future by the best score made at volley firing only, and that the regulations will be amended so as to give legal effect to this alteration.”

The popularity of the Thornton Comedy Company has not diminished in the slightest, and the pieces played evidently find great favor with the audience. The success of the company lies in the fact that each member possesses sufficient dramatic ability to ensure a successful representation of almost any character for which they may be cast, the consequence being that the pieces are performed with an evenness that cannot fail to favorably impress the audience. As the season is drawing to a close, and as a change of programme will be made shortly, those who have not seen ‘My Milliner’s Bill ’ and ‘Mamma’ should certainly do so. The circus continues to be well patronised, the amphitheatre last evening being comfortably filled. It is scarcely necessary to say that the performance was a success; for with tire clever acrobatic performances of the three midgets, the graceful equestrian feats accomplished with earn by the lady riders, the astonishing performances of the trained ponies, the tumbling and riding of the male performers, and the witticisms of the clowns, patrons evidently seem quite salisfid. A change of programme is announced for this evening, when several novelties will be pat forward. The company give their farewell performances on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Pure Pamphile De Veuster, the brother of Father Damien, is now making a tour of the world for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the heroic leper priest, in the shape of an institution for the purpose of training missionaries for work among the lepers—an institution which will not only prepare courageous men bo as to fit them tp administer to the spiritual wants of the abandoned lepers, but also teach methods of alleviating their bodily ills. Other admirers of the apostle of Molokai propose to found a leper hospital for the special purpose of treating leprosy, with a view of making a closer study of the terrible disease, in the hope of discovering a remedy against its ravages.

After hearing the report of the Rev. Dr M’Grrgor on bis recent visit to the colonirs, the Presbytery of Edinburgh cordially adopted the following resolution: “The Presbytery express, through their moderator, to Dr M'Gregor their hearty congratulations on his safe return, and that of Principal Rainy, and their high appreciation of the valuable services which he has rendered to the Presbyterian churches and the cause of Christ by his ministrations in Australia and New Zealand. The Presbytery express to the presbyteries of New Zealand. Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia their gratitude for the kindness shown to the delegates from Scotland, and their regret that, from the shortness of time allotted to him, Dr M'Gregor was unable to visit the presbyteries of Queensland and Western Australia.”

A deputation, consisting of Messrs C. C. Kettle, J. F. M. Freer, and W. A. Walton, waited on the Hon. Mr Hislop yesterday, and brought under his notice the desirability of the Tramway Company bein" compelled to discharge their statutory obligation and run trains regularly on the Ocean Beach Railway. It was pointed out to the Minister .tnat, under the section that was inserted into the Public Works Act of 1887 for the express purpose of enabling the Tramway Company to purchase .this railway, provision was made that the company should run at least trains each way each week for the whole lengtii'bf the IjTe,' within eighteen months of such purchase] |t was aho pointed out that if there was traffic on the railway the public would be greatly benefited thereby, as at present the trams were unable to overtake the work of carry? ing the population without overcrowding. Mr Hislon promised the deputation to lay Lie "latter before the Minister of Works. An eadeayoy is about to be made to develop the iron industry within the colony of New South Wales. Mr Joseph Mitchell, M.L.A., is leaving for England, fiis especial object being to induce capitalists to embcrji in the venture. The proposal is to establish ironworks iu the Wallerawang district, and also iu the neighborhood of Wollongong, tor turning out not only pig, but also manufactured, bar, angle, and sheet iron, steel rails, etc. The previous failure of ventures at Lithgow and Fitzroy some years back were because of the absence of coal in the one case and the luck of sufficient ore in the other. In the localities now uaaey consideration, however, not only is the coal abundant, hut the iron ore is said to be richer than any ore found in England, Tests made of it, in large quantities, show that it averages from 42 to 50 per cent, of metallic iron. An endeavor will be made to form two distinct companies, and to establish works both at Wallerawang and Wollongong, The probable cost would be from Ll§o,ooo to L 200,000 for each of the works. They would be started on a scale sufficient to supply the whole of Australasia with iron.

opening sermon in connection with the annual session of the Primitive Methodist Conference now facing field in this City will be preached to-morrow night in the Dundas street Church by the bey. P, W. Jpuep of Greendale, near Christchurch. ' ' 1 ■

The public are notified that if they require useful goods in crockery, glassware, fancy goods, and jewellery, to call at Montague's giving-up sale. The lease of premises expires in February, and goods must bo sold at any price. Remember this is the last chance of picking up bargains.—(Advt,.] Sergeant Hanlon, on leaving G/eymouth to rejoin his family iu Dunedin, was by the townspeople there with a handsome gold watch, thus inscribed “Presented to Sergeant Hanlon by the people of Greyraoutb, January, 1890.” In acknowledging the gift, the genial sergeant is reported by the local ‘ Star ’ to have said that throughout Ms career “he had carried out his idea of his duty without fear or favor. He always believed in promojition, not persecution, and made no distinction jn parrying this out between the richest man and tiia poorest. When ordered to the Grey he did not like it; and now he regretted leaving it. Here he e tided his official life, though it was at his own request. He could not express his gratitude for the kindly feeling shown by the handsome present made, and by the expressions of those surrounding him; but he felt it also for the pleasure it would give the partner of bis joys ynd sorrows ior tfijrty years, and his family,”