News Of the week.

Otago Witness, Issue 1273, 22 April 1876, Page 15

News Of the week.

At Auckland, oysters are aold at sixpence per dozdn.

Mr George Gray Russell has generously forwarded £50 to Bishop Nevill, in aid of the Anglican Church Society.

A Christchurch telegram states that Police Sergeant Marley has been arrested for embezzlement of £70 10s from the dog registration fees.

The Herald states that Mr P. T. Finn, barrister. at-law, has left Melbourne for New Zealand, where he proposes to commence the practice of his profession.

M. Blondin made his first appearance before a Christchurch audience on the 13th, when there was a very largo attendance. There were about 3000 at his second performance on the 15th.

The Land Revenue for the quarter ending 31st March, 1876 (exclusive of Southland), amounts to £18,743 19s Gd, made up as follows ;— Rural and town lands, £17,430 3s ; miscellaneous, £1313 16s Gd,

Our Auckland correspondent telegraphs : — " There is an authentic rumour that Ministers have offered to call District Judge Fenton to the Upper House, and give him a seat in the Ministry."

We hear that the Lydia Howard Burlesque Opera Troupe, which met with a most hearty reception in Auckland, and ia now doing a most excellent business in Na pier, will visit Dunedin in June next.

A boy named JohnGow, a son of Mr Gow, master of the High School, fell off some timber where he was playing near the Stuart BfcjKtffc Wiwf pu fchs i3tibi ftfld br «k« hifl left

leg between the knoo and ankle joint. He was convoyed to the Hospital.

Immigrants had better beware of the dun. Mr Thos. Johnston, it has been officially announced, has been appoiuted Collector of immigrants' bills, and his receipt will be a sufficient discharge and held binding upon Mr Colin Allan, the Immigration Officer.

A telegram received on Tuesday by Messrs Cargills, Gibbs, and Co., from Messrs J. Helmuth, Schwartze, and Co., dated London, 11th inst., respecting the wool sales, states: — "Prices for good combing fleece and grease, show an average rise of a halfpenny to a penny."

Another fire occurred on the farm of Messrs William and James Christie, Lower Harbour, on Monday morning, by which three stacks were destroyed. The origin cf the fire is unknown. The stacks were insured in the National Office for £150, and were valued at £300. The Melbourne Age says, in reference to the Brough-Smyth inquiry, that, whatever form tho report of the Board may tako, it is impossible that Mr Smyth can be permitted to resume his office in the Mining Department, unless all the petitioners are either removed or transferred.

The Rev. Mr Fifcchett, who recently left Christchurch, has returned to Dunedin after an absence of six years, and again takes charge of this circuit. He preached in Trinity Church on Sunday evening, from Hebrews xiii. S — "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and for ever."

We have received, from Mr Hutton, the Constitution and Laws of the Otago Art Society, neatly printed in pamphlet form. This Society is formed for promoting study in the various departments of the Fine Arts, and for the periodical exhibition in Dunedin of suoh original works cf art as have not been exhibited before.

The head teachers of the Victorian State Schools have been directed by the Minister of Public Instruction to plant the school grounds wi*.h trees avid shrubs. Ornamental foreign plants will be supplied by the State Nursery, and where actually necessary, a small allowance for the purchase and planting of native trees will be made.

William Jones, the seaman who fell down the hold of the ship Canterbury — a depth of twenty-four feet — in January last, and sustained a compound fracture of the right leg, also having his knee smashed, underwent the operation of having his leg amputated at the Hospital on the 19tb. Dr Hocken performed the operation, and the patient is progressing as well as might be expected.

Mr R. B. Martin on the 17th sold, at the Lands Office, Dunedin, in accordance with the advertisement in the Government Gazette, several sections in the township of Greytown. Iho whole of the sections submitted were sold at prices ranging from the upset price to £80 per section. A number of sections in the Blueskin township were also offered, but the majority of them were passed.

The London and Provincial Club met on the 19th at the Hibernian Hotel, Octagon, when rules for the future management of affairs were discussed and adopted. The entrance feo was fixed at 2s 6d, and a subscription of Is per month. The next meeting is called for Wednesday next at the above place at 8 o'clock, when now members can be enrolled. Advertisement of same will appear in due course.

The St. Kilda Council met on the 18th. Present — His Worship the Mayor, and Messrs Mitchell, Vickery, and Robin, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Several questions referring to the interests of the Borough were discussed, but were deferred until the decision of the Council would be obtained thereon at the next meeting thereof. The Council then went into Committee.

A rather stormy meeting of the Dunedin Fire Brigade was held on the 18th, when eight* men were nominated to proceed to the Ballarat demonstration. A committee was appointed to canvass the city for subscriptions towards the necessary expeuses. From our report it will be seen that the Brigade questions the right of the City Council to decide v/hhther eight representatives can be spared from tho Brigade.

Tho Union Football Club played another scratch match at the Northern Recreation Ground ou Saturday afternoon. Several members of the Dunedin Club not having arrived at the Oval, H. Eosd and F. R. .Smith ohose sides, and the udvortiscd match between the warriors selected by tho captain and deputy-captain was postponed. The victory was secured by Rose with one goal. The game proved thoroughly enjoyable.

A numerously-attended meeting of the Ayrshire Association was held in the Pro* vincial Hotel on Thursday (the 13fch mat.) The President, Mr James Seaton, M H. R., occupied the chair. A resolution, that the annual re-union of the members and friends should take placo on the 23rd proximo, and that the entertainment should consist of a' concert and ball, was agreed to. A Committee was appointed to make tho necessary arrangements.

We learn, with regret, from the West Coast papers that a great deal of damage was done to water races and mines by the recent floods. The most serious injury yet reported in the Grey Valley is the carrying away of the head-works of tho storm-race belonging to the River View Company's Works at Sullivan Creek, through the bursting of two large rofervoir embankments hii^her up the Crock. It will take a month to replace tho works destroyed.

The Southland News contaius a long account of the consecration and constitution of a new Masonic Lougo at Riverton, under the English Constitution, entitled The Aparima, The representatives nppointed by fche Diatricc Grand Master to perform the ceremonies v/ere Bro. David Mncrorie, Worshipful Master of the Southern Orosa Lodge, at lnvarcargill, and Pasc Master William Oraig» who were assisted by Pant Master Chapman Jacobs Bro. W. Galloway was installed as Master.

The Tiraaru Herald, referring to tho three "most able civil servants," oa Sir Julius Vogol called tho three Commissioners in his ppwh at Wftt^an,ui, sajft j~.Th.ey hay« n.Qti

met with the same treatment in Otago as they met with in Canterbury. We are not surprised at this ; indeed, the wonder would have been, if the Superintendent of Otago had acted in direct opposition to the plainlyexpressed public opinion of his Province, by co-operating with tho instruments of Abolition.

The regular meeting of the Loyal Leith Lodge, 1.0.0.F.. was held in the Caledonia Hotel on the 17fch, when another initiation took place. It was resolved that the dedication ceremony of the new hull be performed in public on the Queen's Birthday, and that Brother Braithwaite be requested to supervise the arrangements. Brothers Ritchie, Wheeler, Alexander, Braithwaite, Holmes, Wathen, and the Secretary were appointed a Committee to prepare an enter* tainment for the evening of the 24th ivday.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Otago Harbour Board was held on Tuesday afternoon. _ Several matters of interest came up for consideration, the chief .among them being a report from the Board's Engineer, also another from the Harbour-master. Alter these had been discussed at some length, their further consideration was postponed for a week. It would appear from remarks made by some of the members of the Board yesterday that their minds are not very settled as to tho exact plan which shall be adopted by the Board in deepening the harbour.

A will case, arising from the sudden death in Melbourne of an old Dunedin celebrity, " Scotch Jock," is likely to afford a bone of contention. The estate is said to be worth some £17,000, and there are said to be not only two wills but two "relicts!" In the first will the whole of tho deceased's property was left to his wife, but in the second will it is shown that lie had changed his mind, and left his valuable horses to Mi' Morley, of Sandridge, and the remainder of his property to the later friend of his bosom. At present the case has not advanced beyond the stage of the "reading of the wills."

A meeting of the University Council was held on the 13th. Present— Rev. Dr Stuart, Vice- Chancellor (in the chair), Judge Chapman, Mr J. H. Harris, Mr E. B. Cargill, Mr W. H. Reynolds, Dr Hulme, Dr Burns, and Rev. R. L. Stanford. It was resolved that the Medical School Report be printed for private circulation amongst the members of Council before being published. Mr R. Stout's resignation as Law Lecturer was accepted with considerable regret, and a Committee was appointed to elect his successor. Mr Edward de Montalk was appointed Lecturer on French and Italian to the University.

At a meeting of the Wellington Teachers' Association, held in the Thqrndon Schoolroom, on a recent date, the following resolutions, with others, were laid betore the meeting, and approved :— " 1. That the control of the State education of the Colony be vested in an education department under the General Government, and that the system be secular, uniform, and compulsory throughout the Colony. 2. That district boards, at convenient centres, shall have the general management of all educational establishments receiving Government aid within their respective districts, including the appointment of teachers."

Tho Band of hope recently organised at Linden held its regular meeting on Monday evening last. Mr Adams presided. The meeting was well attended, over 50 children being present, and also a number of adults. The programme consisted of Bongs and recitations, principally given by the children. A large number of names were added to the roll of members before closing. A very neat members' card has been chosen by the Committee, who are to be congratulated on the snecess which has so far attended their work for the benefit of the young. They propose holding these meetings every alternate Monday evening during the winter.

The first exhibition of the products and manufactures of New Caledonia was held at Noumea on the 16th and 17th March, and the result appears, by the Moniteur, to have been very satisfactory. Medals and certificates of honourable mention were awarded in the classes for animals, agricultural products, minerals, and the industrial and fine arts. Amongst the minerals, the exhibits of nickel wore the most remarkable, and special gold medals were awarded to MM. Higginson and Hanckar for their collections. The Governor, in closing tho Exhibition on the 17th, mentioned specially the great richness in this mineral of the New Caledonian mines,

We take the following extracts from the Bruce Herald :— lt is rumoured that the steamer Balclutha is to be taken off tho Olutha river traffic, aud that the Matau is to tow her round to Port Chalmers, where she will bo employed in future. — A start has been made to put tho cylinders together for the Clutha railway bridge. On Saturday morning several lengths were completed and upon the staging, ready to roll to their destined positions. — A short time ago there were eight licensed and three temperance hotels in Riverton. Now two of the latter have obtained licenses, aud a promise has been given that the third will be licensed at the next meeting.

Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows : — The usual circulars to members informing them that Parliament will meet on June 15th have boon issued. Jt is rumoured that either Fitzherbert or Ormond will receive the Government nomination as Speaker. Gisborne is not to revnme office as Annuities Commissioner ; he and his family have taken passage for England in the Hurunui, which will sail before he can visit Auckland as one of the three peripatetic Commissioners Probably his place will be taken by Dr Pollen. As Annuities Commissioner he will be succeeded by Mr Jonas Woodward, rvho will combine the duties with those of Public Trustee.

By telegram, we learn that certain changes are about to take place in connection with the Dunedin branch of the Land Transfer Act Department. Mr D. F. Main has, we are informed, resigned his post as District Registrar, and Mr A. W. Smith, Examiner of Titlcß, has been appointed Mr Mama successor, Mr Hanson Turton, District Registrar of Hawke's Bay, becomes Examiner of Titles in tho Duuedin Office, and other appoiufosoota »ni transfers of oifte.es

take place, the particulars of which have not transpired. Amongst the changes, we are not informed that there is any intention to better the position of a gentleman who for years has been the practical head of the depal tment in Dunedin, and we can only say that, if he is le£t where he is while there _is an opportunity of promoting him, a great injustice will be done to a very meritorious officer, whose ability and courteous behaviour have been invariably commented upon by all who have had occasion to transact business in the Dunedin office.

We see by the Provincial Government Gazette of Wednesday (a copy of which was forwarded to us on the 13th) that the Superintendent has appointed Messrs Elias Jones, Alexander Pullar, and F. R. Chapman, to be Rangers for the Lower Waitati, Upper Waitati, and Dunedin districts respectively, under the provisions of the " Protection of Animals Act, 1873." Messrs James Rattray, A. C. Strode, and Peter Logan, are gazetted as a Commission to enquire into the causes which led to the Colima not entering Otago Harbour. The Mayor of Dunedin, by an announcement (in which his Worship's name is twice mis-spelled), revokes the appointment of Mr Thomas Johnston (late captain of the Brigade) as a Fire Inspector for the City, and appoints Mr John Atkinson (the present captain) to the vacancy. From a block of 5270 acres in the Oreti district, the temporary reserve has been withdrawn, and the land will be open for application on and after the 10th May next. There are numerous notifications concerning lands for application on deferred payments, and lands and leases to be sold.

The anniversary tea meeting of the Hanover street Baptist Church was held on ths 18th, when about 450 sat down to an excellent tea, provided by the ladies of the congregation. The Church was tastefully decorated with evergreens, and several mottoes neatly wrought in artificial flowers. After tea, the pastor, J. Upton Davis, called upon Mr Fraser to give an account of the Home Mission work in connection with the Church, which '.'mbraces a wide field in country districts where there are no regular places of worship. The Treasurer (Mr Carrie) reported that the remaining debt of £400 upou the building had been paid off on 3ist March, this sum having been raised by voluntary contributions from the congrega tion during the year, and that from all Bources the total amount of receipts was £1225. Dr Stuart' having made a few appropriate remarks. Professor Salmond, Rev. Mr Pifcohett, and Dr Roseby respectively addressed the meeting on the three Christian Graces— Faith, Hope, and Charity, eacn being heartily applauded. The choir in connection with the Congregational Church sanp several anthems, which much enlivened the meeting. Votes of thanks were accorded to the speakers, the choir, and last, (though not least, the Ladies, to whose efforts the meeting waß in a great measure each a success.

A correspondent writing generally about the Port Chalmers district, mentions in connection with destitution,*that although the district is wonderfully sound considering the iuiiux of new comers from across aea, cases of distreaa do occasionally crop up that demand more than passing investigation. The police are not wanting in Cromptitude in taking cognizance of such eases and deal with them under instructions from'their Resident Magistrate, whose ears are ever open to the cry of affliction, and Tvno has on several occasions procured relief on proper representations to the Dunedin Benevolent Institution. There are certain .eases however, that could be better dealt with at the outset by ladies, and our correEpondent expresses surprise that in auch a town as Port Chalmers there is not a con> zmfcfcee of the lady citizenesses # ready to investig&te cases of distress in which women and childrea are particularly conoerned. Such a case is even now before the public in ■which an unfortunate woman with two little (children are the sufferers. One or two gentlemen who are very much out of place in this pnattc have taken her cause up, and with the officials of the Resident Magistrate's Court, are atriving to eifect permanent good for the woman and her little ones. But hers is a case for special interference on the part of the Port ladies, who our correspondent is certain would willingly take action if they were only governed by proper organization. We quite agree with the tenor of his remarks and have often wondered how it was that in a town like the Port where the broad principles of charity appear to be so well Understood, a Ladies Benevolent Society had aot been established to act in conjunction 'witli the Dunedin Institution.