The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1897.

Evening Star, Issue 10343, 17 June 1897, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1897.

" The Imperial Hall" is to be the name bestowed on the large hall in the Agricul" tural Buildings. The San Francisco mail will be brought down from Wellington by the Te Anau, and should reach Dunedin on Saturday night. The entries for the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society's winter show closed last night with a total of 979, and to these have to be added a number specially arranged for, Whieh will bring the tally up to about 1,000. Last year's total was 645. The ino'rease is an eloquent fact. The Acting-Premier (the Hon. J. M'Kenzie) and the Minister of Education (the Hon. W. C. Walker) will leave Wellington for Dunedin to-morrow—the former for the purpose of opening the Agricultural Buildings and Winter Show, and the latter in order to open the Kindergarten Association's Record Reign Festival. While.the Education Board were sitting to-day the secretary mentioned that he was now in a position to give a description of the official strap, such an instrument having been defined by Order-in-Counoil some time ago. Several members asked Mr Pryde whether he could produce the official strap. He answered that he could not, but was able to supply a description of it. In reference to the individual who recently disappeared from Maaterton, and unexpectedly turned up in Sydney, the ' New Zealand Times' has the following:—" It is not unlikely that he may by-fcnd-bye figure in a Very interesting suit. A relative of bis wife will leave for Sydney in a day or two, to make certain very pertinent inquiries relative to one of the gentleman's fellow-passengers on his recent trip." The new governors of Canterbury College, who were elected by ballot by the educational bodies of the provincial district, comprise :—Elected by the graduates: Revs. W. Harper and G. Webster, Messrs W. Crystall, G. G. Stead, H. R. Webb, and R. Westenra. By the school teachers : Messrs C. S. Howard, T. Hughes, and T. S. Weston. By school committees: Messrs T. W. Adams, G. W. Russell, and J. L. Scott. By the Professorial Board : Mr A. E. G. Rhodes. In addition to which the Legislature elected the Rev. W. Morley and the Hons. W. Montgomery and E. C. J. Stevens. At last night's meeting of the City Council a letter was read from the Dunedin Fanciers' Club asking for permission to erect a large marquee on the ground adjoining the Agricultural Buildings in which to bold the dog show. The only opponent to the request being granted was Or Solomon, who based hiß objections on the recent catastrophe in Paris, where so many people were killed through a canvas building catching fire. Ho moved that the request be declined. His motion, however, failed to find a seconder, and the matter was referred to the Works Committee to act.

The Myiiorama entertainment attracted a very fair audience last night, when one of the choicest programmes was put forward—- ' A Trip from London to Rome.' This track can hardly be equalled for richness of material—the splendid cathedrals of Notre Dame, Pisa, Lucca, Florence, and Milan, the beauties of the Alps, and the wonderful treasures of the Vatican all coming within its scope. The \ iews were shown clearly and artistically, and were well described by Mr W. Young. The vecal items went off as successfully as usual, Mr J. Fuller and Mr Howard Chambers being recalled; while Mr J. Bryant made a successful first appearance as a comic singer. Miss May Black and Miss Olive Hayne also appeared for the first time, and their national patriotic duet, ' England and Ireland's own,' <vas an agreeable novelty. Other items well received were Miss L. Walters's recitation of ' Jane Conquest,' a sobbing quartet by the company, a scholarly delivery of ' Marc Antony's Oration : by Mr Lucas, and ' The billiardmarker's story,' capitally told by Mr Young. Mr Walter Fuller did good work at the organ and piano : and, taken allogether, the entertainment was well worthy a visit. The growing popularity of our railways is evidenced by the fact that the increase of 68,034 passengers cirried over the Otago sectiou for the year ended March 31, 1896, has during the year ended March 31,1897, been beaten by 30,801, thus making a total increase in tha passengers carried aver the Otago railways in two, years of close on 200,0(10, The officials in the railway service are deserving of credit for the manner in which they have coped with the requirements. The rolling Btook is very limited, but the staff have proved themselves most efficient, and in times of emergency, when the traffic was exceptionally heavy, the public have been put to very little inconvenience, whilst daring I he whole of the busy season no accident of any moment has occurred or even been "narrowly averted." It is gratifying to know that the railway staff are so efficient a body, and it is only fair that they should receive some meed of praise for the success that has attended their efforts. In connection with the increases it may be mentioned that the returns on the Otago lines for 1896 97 show an increase of £23,265. There was an increase of 7,074 in the number of parcels carried.

The monthly invitation concert of the Pioneer ofc-Dunedin Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was given on Tuesday night in the Choral Hall, i and attracted a large audience. The Rev. [ W. Saunders presided, and the accompaniI meats were played by Miss J. Thomson. The programme opened with a pianoforte selection by Miss Thomson, after which Mr J. T. Carter sang' Because I love thee so, 5 Mrs M'Robie ' Whistle and I'll come tae ye' and ' The miller and the maid, 1 Mrs Smeaton ' Love's old sweet song,' Mr P. Carotin' * The Romany Lass,' Mrs Edgar 'L'fe's lullaby,' Miss F. Beissel 'Please give me a penny,' Mr D. H. Thomson 'Bonnie wee window,' and Master Beissel 'Yesterday.' The trio 'Johnny Schmoker' was given by Messrs Kealb, Nwoob, and Gritaah; a recitation 'The fireman's wedding' by Miss 'B. Wardrop; a pianoforte eolo ' The Moa march' by Master A. Beissel; a reoitation ' How Jane Conquest rang the bell' by Miss Suckling; a cornet solo ' Love's golden dream' by Mr B. Button; a duet 'The bonnie banks o' Loch Lomond' by Misses | Allen and Chnrchill; and the quartet' Play, mates' by Misses Black, Smith, Beissel, and Dryden. The chairman gave a short address, and the concert closed with the I singing of ' God save the Queen' by the I performers and the audience. The Salvation Army's Rescue Home at Caversham, which was opened yesterday, is well known as having been the residence at different times of Mr J. T. Thomson (late surveyor-general), Mr Donald Stronaeh, and more recently of Dr Salmond. It contains fourteen rooms, inclusive of laundry and drjing room, and is well equipped for the purpose for which it is intended. There are twenty beds provided, exclusive of those for the officers' use. Although fitted as well as could be done under the circumstances, the Refuge is still deficient in a few details, such as a proper supply of knives and forks, a dinner set, a cow, etc., but it is hoped that a generous public will soon supply these. As has been said, provision is made for twenty inmates, and this number are already in the Home. The building has been completely renovated both inside and outside, and has been efficiently furnished. The total cost will beabout £1,300, but of this amount only £IOO was in hand before the commencement of yesterday's proceedings. In the course of a few remarks at the opening ceremony Brigadier Hoakin aaid-that the Home wasto be entirely nnsectarian, and. no restriction was to be made as to who was to gain admittance, provided only that they wished to live better lives. Ministers of any denomination would be welcomed at any hour to visit the inmates, and those of the public who came were also welcome. The brigadier concluded by an appeal for finan-1 cial assistance towards the Home, which was not for the Army but for the public, and he thought the Army had a right to expeot that the public would come to their aid and contribute handsomely towards the cost,

Thedelivery of judgments by the Court) of Appeal has been further postponed until the 24th inst. A two-roomed house,, valued at about £lO, the property of James William O'Brien, who is at present absent in Tasmania, was destroyed by fire at Ravensbourne this morn* ing. The dwelling was. uninsured. A swagger and some boys were seen about the plaoe during the night. In view of the large increase in the traffic on the Dunedin-Invercargill railway section, the department has in contemplation the alteration of the present time-table in a manner that should commend itself to the travelling public It has long been felt that too. much time is occupied in the run from here to Invercargill, and if the scheme as suggested is earned out the present through train each way will be of the nature of an express, and will only stop at certain stations. By this means the journey will be greatly expedited. Instead of leaving Dunedin at eight o'clock as at present the South train will nob leave till considerably later, and the arrival of the train from Invercargill will be at a more suitable hour than at present—probably about a quarter to six. The hours of departure and arrival of the trains at the Invercargill end will not be materially altered. This contemplated alteration cannot bo given effect to until the present service is entirely rearranged, for extra trains will h/tve to be put on to collect the through passengers from stations at which the express will not stop, and also the running of the ordinary trains will have to be timed to suit the altered running of the express both to and from Dunedin. No definite decision has yet been arrived at, nor can there be until the various heads of departments have met in consultation. There is every probability, however, of the matter being brought to a successful issue, and the new time-table coming into force about November next. A special train will leave Mosgiel for Dunedin at 9.5 a.m. on Tuesday. The mayor asks the citizens to observe Tuesday, the 22nd, as a public holiday. The annual meeting of the Dunedin StarrBowkett Building Society will be held to-morrow evening. The box plan is rapidly filling for Monday's ceremony and concert at tbo Agricultural Buildings. The plan may be seen at the Dresden. Mr D. Wright acknowledges, with best thanks, receipt of the following additional donations towards the purchase of Bibles for State schools:—A friend, Is; a fsfend, Is; a friend, 20s. The Carl Hertz return season begins on Monday, at the Prinoess's Tbeatra Throughout his tour this clever entertainer has easily succeeded in attracting crowded houses, and, in view of the brevity of the season and the excellence of the new programme to be presented, we may expect a very successful season. The Jubilee number of the ' Weekly Tress' has reached us, and proves a spec'ally attractive issue. It is profuse with illustrations, and these show the great care that has been bestowed in a judicious selection. The views of the illuminations and processions in 1887 will give a capital idea of what the appearanoe of the great metropolis will be on Tuesday next. At to-night's meeting ef the St. John Ambulance Association the volunteers receiving certificates will appear in uniform. Dr Fulton has offered the Association a " field stretcher " for competition. It is suggested that the stretcher, which will have silver plates on which are to be inscribed names, etc, of winning teams, should be called "The Victoria Field Stretcher." The dootor's suggestions re this stretcher will be read this evening. The musical people of Kavensljourno and Rothetay have been actively rehearsing for some time past a patriotic musical composition dealing with the gallant fights of the English against the Spanish Armada. The music is by Viliters Stanford, and the cantata is called 'The Kevenge,'after the name of Sir Richard Grenville's ship. The performance will take place to-morrow evening in Jackman's Hall, and a number of songs dealing with stirring events of the British Empire will also be sung. Mr Hawcridge is conductor. The proceeds will be applied to purchasing for the children of the district Echool Borne memento of the Diamond Jubilee, bo that a large attendance of residents may be anticipated.