The Western Star. (PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16th, 1884.

Western Star, Issue 809, 16 January 1884, Page 2

The Western Star. (PUBLISHED 81-WEEKLY.) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16th, 1884.

The visit o£ the famous Donald Dinnie, who competes at the sports to be held at the Farmers’ Association’s grounds to-morrow, under the auspices of the Western District Caledonian Society, has been the cause of some little excitement during the past few days, on account of a rumour having obtained currency, through the medium of the Invercargill press, to the effect that Donald’s visit to Riverton had been postponed, and that he would appear for the first time in Southland at Invercargill on Friday. We are glad to say that there is no truth whatever in sush a statement, an 1 that no later than yesterday afternoon the Secret iry to the Association received a telegram from the Champion, at Dunedin, to the effect that he would without fail appear at Riverton on Thursday. It is true that an effort was made by a few iuteroste 1 people iu Invercargill to induae Dinnie to postpone his visit to Riverton. Probably they would have succeeded in their effort to get him to break his agreement with the W. D. Association, as we learn that considerable pressure, of a wretchedly dishonest and mean description, was brought to bear upon him, but on the unfairness of such a proceeding being pointed out he definitely intimated his intention to hold to his agreement. In doing so he administered a well-merited rebuke to those who with paltry jealousy, wished him to commit an act flhat would ruin his professional reputationBy their patty interference, however, they will probably succeed in gaining their end — that of casting a doubt on the public mind as to the genuiei.ness of the intimation that Dinnii would appear here fo-morrow. The Committee have done everything possible under the circumstances to counteract such an impression, and it remains to be seen whether the mean attempt to prevent a large attendance will ba as su-cessful as is anticipated.

Mrs M. McDonald intimates that she will re-open her seminary for young ladies, at her residence, Palmerston street, on 28ih inst. What has the appearance of being a pearl of considerable value was found by Mr Pratt, of this town, in amuss»l shell which be picke 1 up on Colac beach a few days ago. On being offered to an expert at Invercargill, a sum of £2 was offered for it, but the owner has decided to retain possession of it. The pearl is about the size and shape of a small bird’s egg. Those interested may inspect it at this office. The registrar of births, t deaths and marriages’ return for year ending, 31st December, 1883, is as follows : —Births : male, 83 ; female, 95. Total, 183. 1882 : 153. Deaths :22 males ;16 females. Total: 38. Under 5 years, 15 ; under 20, 5 ; under 40, 6; under 60, 9 ; under 80, 3. Total, 38. 1882 . 35 Marriages J solemnised during 1883, in district: By episcopal ministers, 4; Presbyterian, 9; Homan Catholic, 6; district registrar, 4. Total, 23. 1882: 21. , meeting of the Donald Dinnie Ppor's Committee was held in the Globa Hotel last evening, when the final arrangements were made for the sports to be held to.-morrow. Messrs Grant, Cross, R. Robertson and Barns were appointed directors of sports and Judges. Tn response to a requisition, the Mayor has requested the citizens to observe a half holiday in honor of the visit.

A meeting of the s'ew.ards of tho Wallace County Jockey Club will bo hold in Pattison s Globa Hot*! to-mo. Tow ver.ing at 8.30 to make arrangement for the forthcoming race.*. An ordinary meeting of the County Council will ba held on Friday next. J. 0. McArdell’s wool sale has been further postponed till Wednesday 23rJ hist.

The District High School re-opened on Monday after the Christmas holiday l . The attendance was not up to the average, but doubtless it will recover in a day or two. The new mistress, Miss Ingrain, has arrived, and will probably enter upon her duties to-day. • The genial “ Paddy” McCaughan arrived at Bluff by the Woihora on Monday. It is stated that there is a probability of his again, taking up his residence in Southland. : Has, the shrewd Driver been keeping the Hokohui seat warm for the “ most handsome gentleman in the House ?”

Tho Hew Zealand Loan of one million, being the second million under the Three Million Loan Act, has been covered. The Agent-General telegraphs that the whole loan has been placed above par. There were 600 tenders, the total amount tendered for being £5,070,000. Tenderers at £IOO 5s 6d received 54 per cent., the remainder being placed above that price. Tho Kennedy’s visit to Riverton has been postponed till Monday next,

Another attack was made on Eavertou on Sunday by a contingent of the Salvation Army T'le services, were numerously attended and conducted in an orderly manner.

While Mrs Sharpe, of Cambridge, was bathing in the Poknewhenua Creek, Auckland, with her daughter, age 1 four, the latter was swept away and drowned. We have been shown a sketch, which for want of a better term may be characterised as an etching on cardboard, performed by a Mr Cha tnbers, a man who is at present engaged in the uncongenial, to him we shoul! imogine, task of working in the bush. The subject is the crucifixion of our Saviour, and the manner in which the various figures are depicted shows that Mr Chambers possesses artistic talent of a high degree. The mechanical portion of the work was executed entirely with a pen knife, and considering the difficulties that had to be contended against, it is marvel of excellence. The back of the picture is covered with pieces of different colored paper, and when exposed to a rear light, as it is intended it should be, the picture presents an appearance similar to those that may he seen on cathedral windows. The time and labor necessarily involved in the production of such an original sketch prevents it being sold at a price that will bring it within the reach of the multitude, but those who can appreciate a novel work of art and can aff .rd a moderate sum, should commission Mr Chambers to execute a copy of this or similar work.

The charge of mu-der against Wm. Pearce for having stabbed Matilda Hancock occupied fche Supreme Court, Dunedin, all Monday. The evidence was much the same as tint given at the inquest, but was strdnger against the prisoner. A witness named Freeman deposed that the prisoner had admi l ted to him having committed the murder, the accused saying that he bad struck the woman when she had provoked him, but did not intend to kill her. To a detective Pearce had also admitted having thrown the knife with which he did 'he dead into the bay. His Honor summel up strongly ajainst the prisoner, telling the Jury he coull see no evidence of tho provocation which would reduce the crime to manslaughter. He added that a recommendation to mercy would ho doubt have due weight. At 7 o’clock the Jury returned to ask whether a verdict of “ manslaughter” would be accepted, stating that they were of opinion that the prisoner had done the deed without premeditation. His Honor directed them that the absence of premeditation would not alone.reduce the crime to manslaughter. The Jury were locked up all night. The foreman sail there seemed not the slightest possibility of the Jury agreeing. On the court assembling on Tuesday morning, tho ,-forotnan announced that the Jury were unable to agree. They w»re discharged, and a fresh trial is fixed for Monday. Ten of the Jury were for murder, an I two for manslaughter. It came down to eleven to one at one time.

A recent visitor to Dunedin tells a good story about Donald Dinnie. True to his national instincts, Donald loves porridge and whisky—in fact it is solemnly averred that these two articles constitute his sole food and drink. Whether this is true or not is diffleult to sav, hut our informant states it is a f icf that since his appearance in Dunedin

there has been such, a consumption of oatmeal that prices for that article have considerably “ hardened.” Donald will be; glad to learn tint our two locil oatmeal mills_nre working ei'ra time in anticipation of bis visit,

The ’Frisco mail arrived at Auckland on o Sunday. It will probably reach Riverton to- d morrow evening. k V. Count Strickland, who arrived last week at Auckland by s.s. Roto in ah an a, * was commissioned by the of Maltr. to deal with the subject of immigration of Maltese to New Zealand. ' a subject which was introduced by M. 1 de Cessere, who was here in the begin- 1 ning of last year. Count Strickland I is a Maltese nobleman, and a con- . siderable landholder there, and as he was leaving for a tour round the world, he was commissioned by the Maltese authorities to act in the pressing matter of emigration, Malta being very thickly populated. Count Strickland’s father was an Englishman, and he was mostly educated in England. He comes accredited by Sir F. D* Bell, and before he left Loudon he consulted with Sir Charles Clifford (formerly of New Zealand) and others with whom he was acquainted. It will be remembered that Mr Bolleston consented to the introduction of 30 or 40 Maltese, who were to be settled to the north of Auckland, to commence the cultivation of oranges, olives, and other sub-tropical crops which they and their fathers have been accustomed to cultivate. Count Strickland thinks the number spoken of by Mr Rolleston is far too small to do any good either to, Malta.or New Zealand. He proposes that either some landed proprietors should guarantee worK lor a certain time to the Maltese, with some land for themselves, or that a special . settlement should be formed. Count Strickland and the Hon Mr Mitchelson -are going to Wellington. He will have an interview with Mr Holiest on. His desire is that the offer of a special settlement should be made in the first instance to the Maltese authorities, and if they do not see their way to take it up, that it should be made to a number of gentlemen in London, some of whom are interested in Malta and some in New Zelaand, and who would advance funds necessary to start the scheme. August Flower.—The most miserable being in the world are those- suffering from Dys ■* pepsia and Liver Complaint. More than 75 e per cent, of the people are afflicted with these two diseases and their effects : such as Sour 0 Stomach, Sick Headache, Habitual Costiveness, Palpitation of tho Heart, Heavt-burn, Waterbrash, gnawing and burning pains at 1 -the'pit of the Stomach, Yellow Skin, Coated s Tongue, and disagreeable taste in the mouth, a coming up of food after eating, low spirits, < &c. : " H’b td'yodr' druggist and get a bottle of ®. August-Flower. This valuable medicine has i cured thousands and thousands of sufferers k and is known in all civilised countries. Two doses will relieve you. It costs only 3s 61 a a bottle. Sample bottles, 6d. '* Wells’ “Rough on Corns.’ —Ask I for Wells’ Rough on Corns.” 7£cl, I Quick relief, complete, permanent j cure. Corns, warts, bunions. Mcses, T Moss & Co., Sydney, General Agents,