News of the Week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1244, 2 October 1875, Page 15

News of the Week.

The annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society, we are informed will take place on Tuesday, the 7th October.

On Saturday, September 25th, the Sailors' Home contained twenty boarders ; fourteen entered and six left daring the week.

Greatly to the regret of some of our boating men here, Mr Mark Webb has sold his two six-oared gigs — Lady Normanby and Bremier — to <i new rowing club at InvercargllL for £75.

Daring the week ended 25th September; 17 patieats were admitted into, and 18 discharged from, the Danedin Hospital The numoer of patients in the Hospital is 187, of whom 40 are women.

The baracouta season has commenced with the capture of. a couple of fine iish on Tuesday by one of the fishing boats of the Port. The fish are appearing very early this year, nearly a mouth before the .usual time.

A meeting of the Council of the University was held on Monday. It was resolved, among other matters, that steps should be taken to immediately advertise for offers for the purchase of the present University building.

A member of a large mercantile house in London, writing to a friend in Dunedin by the last Suez mail, says that it is understood that Sir Julian Vogel has arranged to enter a London firm upon his retirement from political life ia New Zealand. The particulars, he adds, hare not transpiied.

The subscriptions oh behalf of the widow and family ot the late Alex. Jeffreys, who was accidentally drowned in the Water-of-JLeith on the night of the 23rd August, whilst in the employ of the Corporation, have so far reached the sum of £19:2 14s 6d. Other promised subscriptions have yet to comuin.

A gentleman has kindly placed the following telegram at our disposal : — " Wellington, 27 eh September, 1875.— Donald R*id introduced a Bill to amend Female Employment Ace, by which they may be worked night or day, bat only for eight hours. Very decisive action should be at once taken.— -J. B. Brai«ha\v."

We have received from Messrs Yarrow and Co., of London, a number of pamphlets descriptive of their small steamers, steam launches, yachts, and tugs. The information is givea iv English, French, German, and Spanish. Oar publisher will send a copy on reojipt of postage, 4d, or copies may be had at this office.

We have received from Mr Joseph Braithwaite a copy of No. 3 of his New Zealand Songster, - just published, and containing about 80 songs ami recitations. The book has soDgs to suit almost every taste, and while what is called " the popular element " predominates, there is a sprinkling of the choiceat lyrics in tho English language.

The sorrowing friends of a "gentleman" who has harriedly left Danedin will be pleased to hear that he has written, protesting against his children being placed in the Industrial School, stating; that he is employed by a company at £400 a year in Melbourne, and promising to satisfy bis creditors. This protest, however, arrived too late.

We are sorry to hear that our old friend Mr W. H. Outten has been victimised on more than on« occasion at home. In London he Am eased of his watch and chain by one of "The light fingered gentry, and since then he had £13 abstracted from bis pocket in the same way. He says " they're a mean lot," and that they wouldn't do such things in Otago.

Mr Beal, the manager of the Colonial Bank, visited Lawrence recently, in compliance with a petition from several residents ia the district, asking him to open a branch of the Colonial Bank. Wo (Taapeka Times) are informed that- Mr Beal will report favourably to the Directors of the Bank as to the desirability of a branch being opened in Lawrence.

The Atheneeum ia in receipt of its Suez Mail parcel of books and magazines, per Ringarooma. Among the former we noticed "Autobiography and Memoir of Thos. Guth, lie, D.DV' "Inner Life of Syria," in 9 vols., by Isabel Brunton ; "Eglantine," 3 vols., by the Author of •• Blue Ribbon;" "Poems," by Alfred Tennyson; "Tue Boudoir Cabal," 3 vola ; " A Nine Days' Wonder," &c.

A concert sod dance in aid of the Morn* ington .District Library Fund took place in the School-house, Mornington, last evening, Mr Ru-seli, the district schoolmaster in the übair. Songs were given by local "talenf'and also by gentlemen from Dunedin. There Vras A very large attendance, and the concert bn the whole went very well. A dance fol» lowed. Mr SyUes presided at the piano. A correspondent;, who signs himself "Little fjon," wants to know why the Volunteer officers «!<■> not make some stir in the matter of seeing thmt Snider rifles are served out to the Volunteers of Ocogo. He says if they nre not given opt soon oar Volunteers will have ho show with the- Northern men, who have been practising with Sntders for some weeks pa«t, afe the next Intercolonial tiring. Mr J. DathiMta delivered a lecture in the Temperahce Hall last Monday, upon - his favourite ■abject, "The Old Days vf Scotland." The proceeds were given to the Benevolent Institution, and being under the auspices of the Loyal Leith Lodge, there was a good attendance, Mr B. C. Haggitt presiding. The lecturer narrated spicey anecdote* cbirecteriktic of the times, and was listened to attentively. The newPurt Chalmers Hotel at the Port, ba? reached tho limits of its outward pro. portion*, and facing, as it doe«, the bay, fengiituitf a rtwirtubb and stately land

mark. The finishing touches to the roofing were bestowed last week, and stuccoing the fagade is now progressing. When finished, the building will reflect no less credit upon the architect, Mr Saunders, than upon the enterprise of the proprietor, Mr Dodson.

The regular meeting of the Caversham Road Board was held in the Schoolhouse on Thursday evening. Present— Mr Rutherford (in the chair), Messrs Wilson, Langmuir, Bridgman, and Jackson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Several accounts were passed for payment, but with the threatened disruption of the district hanging over its head, no action was taken by the Board in the way of initiating new works. The meeting was adjourned for a month.

Bishop Nevill announced in the Synod on the 24th, the presentation by Mr H. F. Hardy of two sections of land as a site for a church and parsonage in anew township at Saddle Hill. Subsequently the Rev. Mr Stanford, when referring to some small omission on the part of Mr Hardy of duty as an office-bearer, humourously remarked that he should say no more on the point, "as Mr Hardy had wiped out all the sins he had ever committed by the gift of these two sections."

On arrival at Lyttelton on Monday Captain M'Lean, of the Ringarooma, sent the following telegram to a gentleman in town who, has kindly placed it at our disposal. The old Commodore telegraphs: — "No wind. Steaming time, 14 hours 10 minutes. Orago's fastest was in January, 15 hours. Each the fastest that has been done from wharf to wharf." We heartily congratulate the worthy skipper on the speed his boat can attain, and have pleasure in giving publicity to the above telegram.

The first social gathering of the Dunedin Harmonic Society took place at the Friendly Societies' Hall, last Tuesday, when there was a numerous assemblage of members and their friends. An excellent programme of dances appeared to be thoroughly enjoyed, and several glees were well rendered. The conductor (Mr Morrish) informed us that the^ Society has overcome the difficulties which attended its organisation, and ia now in a very satisfactory financial condition. We wish it permanent success.

Mr Blair, in his paper on the Building Materials of Ofcago, read at the Otago Institute on Monday evening, mentioned that the lately discovered slate deposits at Otepopo were being opened up by Dunediu enterprise. The gentlemen who are engaged in developing this industry got a lease of the ground at the Lauds Board meeting on Wednesday. Up to the present, it appears the sum of £700 has been spent in opening the quarries, and though the appearance is not so good as when work was first commenced, the determination is to test the quarries thoroughly.

In our paragraph concerning the arrival of the Jessica, from New York, .on Friday, we mentioned as being- amongst her cargo a bucket and tub-making machine, brought out in charge of aMr Taylor. From a note received by us from Messrs Gibbs and Clayton, we learn that the machinery in question was imported by them, and Mr Davies was brought out to superintend it. The -machinery is Baid to be of a novel character, and, besides making buckets and tubs, can be adapted to the manufacture of clothes-pegs, and other kinds of woodwork.

Paragraphs about New Zealand are constantly cropping up in the papers. Mr Chevalier, we learn from the Morning Post, the fashionable organ, has had the honour of submitting to Her Majesty' inspection a series of drawings of scenes in New Zealand. From another source we learn that the Michigan University has just been presented with a large collection of natural curiosities, the fruits of a recent voyage to New Zealand. The collection embraces among other things about 50 specimens of New Zealand birds, including the wingless variety.

A Press Agency telegram informs us that M.r Mervyn asked the Minister of Public Works when he expects the water-raco and sluice channel at Mount Ida will be completed. Mr Richardson explained that the delay had been chiefly caused by the great scarcity of labour, and, though the General Government were responsible for delay, yet they bad not actually undertaken the work. He had strong hope 3, however, that, there would not be any more serious delay, though he was unable to give any definite assurance as to the time when, the work would be completed.

We had the other day an opportunity of examining the new notes of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand, which are to be issued on the Ist prox. Although, in the vignette, there are no emblems characteristic of New Zealand — such as the Maori, tho apteryx, or the cabbage tree— the artist has succeeded in producing a moat effective design representing the various industries for which the Colony is noted in her present advanced state of colonisation. The design is certainly one which will compare favourably with that upon any of the bank-notes which now circulate in this community.

We notice that a man named William Coulburn, who for many years drove a cab in Dunedin, died lately in Melbourne while under chloroform. He left Dunedin to get an operation performed upon one of his eyes, and having consulted Mr Wilkina, surgeon, it was decided that the eye should be removed. Two minutes after chloroform had been administered he died. It was shown At the inquest that the condition of his heart apd lungs was such as to render the inhalation of chloroform dangerous. The jury found, however, that the chloroform had been properly administered.

A pugilistic encounter came off near the quarry in Maclaggan street early yesterday afternoon, which created a great stir in the neighbourhood, and resulted in five men finding themselves shortly afterwards in the lock-up. The two combatants stood up in regular fighting style* one of them stripped to his singlet, and presented a frightful appearance, through the diafiarurement of his face. There were three or four hundred on-lookers, who would have acted in a more becoming manner, had they, put a stop to the fight. A body of police suddenly appeared on the scene, anM arrested the, pugUiiss and tbrw abbrttoru, ■ * 9

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association connected with St. Andrew's Church was held in the hall below the Church on Friday evening last. Mr Park — who, as one of the Vice-Presidents, occupied the chair — opened and closed the meeting with appropriate prayer. A very good essay on 4 ' Nobility of Character" was read by Mr Walter Gow. The members present criticised the essay, and in doing so, some of them displayed a fair share of critical acumen. The Chairman, in a lucid resume of the essay and the criticisms upon it, expressed his satisfaction with the manner in which the subject was treated.

A general meeting of the Citizens' Cricket Club was held at the Royal Hotel on the 23rd, when 20 new members were enrolled. The following gentlemen were elected officebearers for the ensuing year : — President, Mr H. S. Fish. jun. ; Vice-president, Mr G. B. Shepherd ; Secretary, Mr A. M'Miilan ; Treasurer, Mr G. H. Marsden ; Committee, Messrs Cohen, Anderson, Fagan, Wells, M'Kee, A. M'Neil, and W. Watson. Several members expressed themselves determined to hold their own against other clubs, and they decided to adopt a regular system of practice. The Committee afterwards met for the purpose of arranging preliminaries for matches, and having the ground prepared.

" Accidental death and not the slightest blame attributable to anyone." Such would probably be the verdict of an enlightened jury if any of the six-year-old youngsters attending the Middle District School fell down the precipice in York Place and dislocated their necks. Many of these children apparently delight to proceed along the narrow ledge between the fence and the cutting in Stuart street. They may be seen there daily, either walking, running, or holding on carefully to the fence like grim death. Is anyone responsible for this state of affairs ? We would also direct the City Council's attention to the large quantity of clay on the paths in the above-mentioned locality.

Many persons whose business it has been to visit the Lakes District, will be sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Welsh, wife of Mr William Welsh, proprietor of the Royal Oak Hotel, Arrowtown, and late of the New Orleans Hotel, of the same place. The poor lady expired at her residence, Buckingham street, on Monday evening last, after a long and painful illness. Mr and Mrs Welsh were amongst the first settlers on the Arrow, and deservedly respected by all who knew them. No announcement of any death on the Arrow was ever before received by the inhabitants with such genuine feelings of unmingled regret as that of the dear departed, whose name was a "household word" amongst them.

In reference to the account which the home papers have given of an attempted suicide on the part of Capt. Stevens, late of the ship Auckland, we have been requested to state that the writer has drawn somewhat on his imagination, as there was no premeditated suicide on his part. Private letters from his friends at home state that in a fit of temporary insanity, he did leap from a railway carriage— imagining at the time that the person who was with him was taking him to prison — but no bones were broken, and the injuries which he received in the head were not at all dangerous. It is not true that he made an attempt to cut his throat, and hia friends will be pleased to hear that at last accounts he was doing veil and quite out of danger.

The remanded case of assault in a railway carriage, against Anthony Bawlan, came on for hearing again at the Port Chalmers Police Court on the 24th, before Captain Thomson and Dr Drysdale, J.P.'s. The further evidence adduced substantiated the charge against the prisoner, but discovered extenuating circumstances, the defendant having acted in self defence. The Bench, ia delivering its verdict, said that although the law recognised self defence, it did not tolerate any action savouring of revenge. The defendant had evidently behaved in an extreme manner, and would therefore be fined jE3. The Bench further remarked that it hoped the railway authorities would further investigate the proceedings in con nection with the assault of the evening of Monday last.

A timber bridge is to be erected by the Provincial Government over the Pomahaka between Tapanui and Waikaka, below Mayow's Accommodation House. The bridge is to be on the proposed new line of road between Tapanui and Waikaka. It will consist of three tpans of 40ft. each, and will be an ordinary trass bridge. The Government has a number of smaller works in course of being let. Among them is a contract for widening portion of the road between Dunedin and Portobello, and reducing some of the gradients. The beach road at Portobello is to be further extended. A mile and a quarter of the road between Dunedin and Purukanui is to be formed and metalled. Two floating stages are to be constructed at Kaitangata, to be worked in connection with the punt there.

A concert, the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the cost of defraying the expense of late improvements to the Kaikorai Drillshed, was held in that building last evening. The attendance was numerous. A number of the leading members of the Dunedin Coloured Opera Troupe came to the assist ance of the district, and contributed materially to the success of the concert. The songs of Messrs Marsden, Denovan, Oliver, Hannigan, and Styles, a Hate duet by Messrs Hogg and Wright, and the dancing of Messrs Haig and Hannigan, appeared to be highly enjoyable. Madamo Jeanette sang two bal lads, and, being encored, gave a song after each. A dance took place at the close of the concert. Music was furnished by Mr Moss (piano), Mr Baily (violin), Mr Hogg (flute), Mr Wright (piccolo), and Mr Oliver (cornet). . • • Mr B. Isaac was presented on Wednesday by Mr Moss (on behalf of the Dunedin Synagogue) with a testimonial, framed and glazed, in recognition of his services as President during the past year. The testimonial sets forth : "To Barnard Isaac, Esq., President Dunedin Jewish Congregation. We, the undersigned, having been appointed to conr§y toyou'j&Q underraeafaQwi wwtoiWßi

carried in Committee this day, have much pleasure in testifying to your zeal and ability in fulfilling the duties entrusted to you whilst our chairman. The prosperity of our congregation during your year of office, we feel assured, fully compensates you for the anxious care you have evinced during your presidency, and we trust you may be spared for many years to make yourself useful amongst us." Signed by Messrs M. Moss, R. M. Marks, and L. Mendelssohn.

The Mount Ida Chronicle thinks that the Naseby Coal Company appear to have a fair promise of success in their prospect on the Kyeburn Peninsula. A seam of good coal, about twelve feet thick, has been faced. Should the pit turn out to be all that it is reported to be, the Company cannot fail to benefit themselves and the township. A sidling or two would require to be cut to enable drays to rise on to the terrace. They would then have a straight track to Spec Gully, acd from there they would take the usual road to Naseby. A good seam of fireclay is also reported. By the way, the presence of the clay seems to be the best guarantee for the presence of the coal. How would it be if the Company were to start brickmaking ? There is a splendid opening for anew industry in the district. Brick chimneys would be a long way safer than tin ones.

A meeting of the members of the New Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade was held on Monday evening in the Council Chambers Committee Room, when 28 members answered to their names. The conditions of association having been agreed upon by the Council and the Brigade, the members then commenced to elect their officers — the several officers being balloted for— and the result terminated as follows : — Captain, 'Mr Johnson ; Lieutenant, Mr Atkinson ; Foreman of Hook and Ladder Companies, Mr Brown ; Foreman of . Hose Companies, Mr Bowers ; Treasurer, W, Sinclair ; Secretary, Mr Robertson ; Branchmen, Messrs Nicholson and James Sinclair ; Pioneers, Messrs Blagdon, High Ward ; Houghton, South Ward ; Falconer, Bell Ward ; - Williden, Leith Ward. Messrs R. B. Jones and. A. Grant were elected Trustees. These officers were .elected to serve until the first general meeting in January, 1876.

At the annual convocation of the Kilwinning Ofcago Royal Arch Chapter, No. 116, S.C., the following office bearers were duly installed into their various chairs :—Companion Sanders, M. Ex. Z ; Companion Court, Ex. H. j Companion R. Greenfield; Ex. J. : Companion Ferguson, Scribe E. ; Companion Moodie, S.N.; Companion Mill 3, treasurer ; Companion Singer, conductor and i first sojourner ; Companion Seideberg, second j sojourner ; Companion Ridd, third sojourner; Companion Tait, R. W. mark master ; Companion Smith, janitor. The ceremony was ably conducted by M. Ex. Companion Oaldwell, P. G. Superintendent of Royal Arch Chapters in New Zealand/ holding under the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, assisted by M. Ex. Companion Sanders. Amongst the visitors present were Ex. Companion Eldridge, Z. j Ex. Companion Joyce, H.; and Ex. Companion Fordyce, J. ; all of Chapter 844, E.G. After the installation the Companions adjourned to the Criterion Hotel, where a pleasant evening was spent, Host Barker catering in hia usual excellent style.

An unfortunate man, named Hancock, lost his life by a mining accident, while tunnelling in a terrace claim at Arthur's Point, Lower Shotover, on Friday week. It appears that, about 11 a.m., while pursuing his ordiuary work, a sudden running in of the ground took place, and deceased was instantly buried up. For same few hours it was thought that the poor fellow could be rescued alive, and medical assistance was in readiness, but, in spite of the efforts made to save him, the continual running in of the ground rendered them futile, and the body was not extricated until 2 p.m. on the following day. It its said that life was not extinct until after daylight on that morning, at which time the moans of the deceased were laßt heard. When rescued, the body was in a perfectly upright position, having been jammed between some large stones. The deceased was one of the two men, tributors of the Phoenix Company, Skipper's Creek, and who sold their interests - for some £50, each about two days before the gold was struck. Hancock wag an experienced miner, and came from Cornwall or Devonshire.

The Taranaki News observes : — " We learn that New Zealand tanner s have hitherto failed to discover an indigenous bark which possesses in the same degree the tanning property of the wattle or acacia barks of Australia, '< tor worthy tanner informs us that he is now purchasing Australian wattle bark to tie extent of £60 worth per month. If so considerable a sum is expended in this article in so small a town as ours, how much must be i expended in the whole of the country ? Now, j the wattle grows as freely here as it does in ! Australia. It is a very pretty shrub, it blossoms in autumn and very early in the spring, and makes an excellent shelter. How many a rough hill side or narrow gully is there which is at' present not deemed worthy of cultivation which might be profitably planted with these trees? The only difficulty about their cultivation that we are acquainted with is the fact _6f their bearing seed in this country but 1 very sparingly. Seed, however, can be procured cheaply and in sufficient abundance from Australia and Tasmania. We have recently inspected' some samples of leather tanned with this bark, and found them very clean and tho|roughly tanned."

A curious fact came to light at the last meeting of the Waste Landt Board. It appeared that the triangular shaped piece of ground in Upper York Place, on which, is erected a shop, occupied by Mr PearsoD, butcher, ia the property of the Government, that Mr Pearson had been paying rent for years' to the Corporation who had no right to the land. Mr Pearson, bad' expended about £1000 in buildings and other improvements! on it. The land, it appeajri^ "had once been included in an Ordinance., leaking' it, among other sections, over to the Council, and which had been disallowed. Mr Bastings remarked with quiet sarcasm that the Corporation would hand the money, they had received from Mr Pearson over to the Government; he presumed the Corporation would not retain any money th^y were ppj

entitled, to. Members, however, seemed to think that the day on which the Corporation would disgorge Provincial moneys it secured, had not yet arrived. As this particular piece of ground was vested in the Board, and could be sold by ,thetn, with the consent of the Superintendent, the Board resolved to sell it. It is to be sold with the valuation for improvements added. This is a small, though unexpected, windfall to the Provincial" Treasury, butthe Government might generously relinquish it by way of a slight set-oiF against unpaid subsidy.

A number of gentlemen representing the Ancient Order of, Foresters "waited upon Dr Reimer on the 24th, to present him with an address and a handsome gold watch in recognition of his services to the Order, since its organisation In Dunedin. The address, which was neatly framed, has been brilliantly illuminated by Mr Redmayne, and displays the different emblems of the Order. It ran as follows :—" A. O.IF/. To Bro. Carl -N. Reimer. We, on behalf of ourselves and a large number of the members of' Court Pride of Dunedin, Independent Order of Foresters, earnestly desire to express the high esteem we entertain of your abilities and the services you have rendered to this Court whilst acting as our Medical Officer during the last nine years ; and ample evidence of your having givea satisfaction. We respectfully request your acceptance of the accompanying gold watch aa,a slight mark of our good will. May you ilive long in good health to make use of it.'< Dunedin, . New Zealand, 22nd September, 1875. Alex. M Gkegor, Chairman ; W. G. Geddes, Treasurer ; Richard Thos. Wheeler, Secretary." > The watch bore the following' inscription :— " A.O.F. • Presented to Dr Reimer by his gsteemed friends Of the Court Pride of Dunedin. September " 22nd,- 1875." Dr Reimer briefly -rfeturned thanks for the untxpected'testimohialv • ■

The j annual entertainment of the Knox Church Young Men's' Society was held last evening in the -Schoolroom, which was crowded to excess. ' Mr Robert Wilson occupied the chair.,. The programme consisted of songs, duets, recitations, dialogues, &c. In every respect we may ..say it was a success. Miss Jago sang very nicely, with feeling and expression, . " Forsaken," for which she deservedly received an encore. The recitation " Nola Kostn," by Mr Cooke, was very well given, and was justly deserving of the applause it received at the hands of the audience. Mrs Fraser sang •« The Lover and the Bird" in a very pleasing manner,' as also did MrfFraser " The Memories of the Past.' A dialogue by "Brutus and CassinsWai well received. Mr Thomson was very sue ce'ssful in the rendering of •• The Erl King," for which he received an encore. After which "The Bachelor's Complaint," by Mr Israel, created no end of. laughter, and on finishing the, audience were not content, but! demanded an encore. Mr J?go sang the " British Lion" in his usual effective style. Miss Jago in- the second part sang very sweetly that ever- welcomed ballad " You'd better bide a wee," and it is needless to say that it s was loudly encored. A dialogue by Messrs; Cooke and Stevenson, from "Tho Rivals," brought a very enjoyable entertainment Co a close. Mr G. M.Tnotnson pre« sided at the piano. The usual Vote of thanka was accorded to the various performers.

A special meeting, of the Fire Brigade Committee of the City Council .took place on the 23rd, when there were present — His Worship the Mayor (id the chair), Messrs Campbell, Leary, Beeves, and Woodland. The meeting had been called for the purpose of receiving a deputation from the gentlemen who had volunteered- their names as members of the new Fire Brigade. The Council's proposals, as stated in the memo, -recently read by the Mayor and published ia this journal last Wednesday, hive been agreed to, with this modification—that the number of members be reduced from 40 to 30—10 for the North Dunedin contingent and 20 for the central contingent. -The .proposal to insure the lives of Brigade members has been abandoned, and in lieu thereof it" waa arranged that any accumulated funds arising from the periodical vote of the Council shall go towards the Sick and- Accident Fund, which will be appropriated aa the Fire Brigade and the Council may frpiq.time to time determine, The Council's vote is to.be £500 for the 30 members, with a corresponding increase of £100 if; it shall: be i found that 10 addi. tional members are required. With regard to the foreman of the North Dunedin contingent, it) is arranged that all the officers shall be appointed by the. General Brigade. If a paid captain , is ; appointed, his honorarium will-no^ come from the 'Council's £500 vote, A vote of three-fourths of the whole Brigade is to be! necessary at any time to determine the disbandment of the Brigade, and: three months' notice must be given on either side. The present- Fire Brigade Library will ba handed' over to the new Brgade. The Council is to pay the.engine.keeper and the watchman ous of the £500.' The .adjourned meeting of the proposed volunteers will take place at 7 30 p.m. on .Monday next, in the Council Chambers.

Mr 3 G. P. Clifford, so well known in Otago in connection with the Acclimatisation Society, is now in Melbpurne, giving nightly at the; Athepagum "Hall, what "is termed a, PhantascQpiq li^tartjiiament. .As explained by the lArgus»thiß,c.mßists of a large-number of photograpaio; views on 'the River Thames, which fire thrown r by powerful oxy-hydrogea limeJightfc-upbn a screen 'on 'thV platform. The ( appSfatna "employed is"of J an elaborate description, and is moat; anccesiful in 1 pro-ducing-before the audience a aeries of views of the^ most intereatuig aod life-like character, Itne photographs being magnified on the screen' to 16 feet square. The viewa shown embrace many of the most beantiful of the ' numberless exquisite scenes on the river,' from its source to the city of London, including scenea in Oxford, Windsori ;Reading, Eton, Abingdon, Maidenhead, Sfamse, &c M and of the moat pib^ures^ue books and .vxllagea aloig the river .tanks. , One.of the .n^lJßcenes' show>, Is that of Windsor Castle, {from, varjojifr aspect*. -The views o( London from the »Thame*i have been exceed* mgly well 1 selected, embraoing . almost every public 'building of interest j • while Mr Clifford also affords a glimpse ofl the interior of the city as seen from the Monument wbieb- giyflf 3 ajod \fas pjf

that bu.?y throng of " houses and of men." Besides the views of scenery given, Mr Clifford «lao shows anumber of beautiful photographs of statuary, which the limelight throws on the screen with most lifelite effect. Victoria is not omitted from the enterjammant. as a view of " Our Victorian Navy" — a photograph of the large engraving publiahed as a supplement to The Sketcher —is also shown with good effect. Mr Clifford gives a brief description of most of the scenes shown. Throughout the entertainment the applause was constant, as the beauty and in ierest of t c scenes well deserved. The different views succeeded each other almost instantaneously, one having hardly faded out when the next appears. Altogether, the entertainment was of an eminently pleasing character, and as Mr Clifford states he has still over 2,000 views not yet shown, it is probable that the performance will be well patronised.