The Evening Star. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1871.

Auckland Star, Issue 536, 28 September 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1871.

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For th« wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,,. And the good that we can do."

Oub readers have doubtless wondered at our making no reference to the, cases now pending in the law court!.!:, arising out of the " Letter from Dick? We have desired to scrupulously avoid any reference which could be tortured into an attempt to_prejudice the cause, although it is difficult to permit the irritating statements of our contemporary the News to pass without jpomment. The course taken by that print in attack, and ours in not making reply, are such a reversal of the past that we cannot withhold reference to it. Our contemporary, with that cowardice which is characteristic of its past conduct, supposing that our pen is tied, has seized the opportunity of throwing stones at us j n a backhanded way; but last tfi^ht and this morning has come out whJi such a manifest attempt to prejudice the Bench, that we feel bound to reply. Says the News, " The course these gentlemen have adopted to clear their characters from the scurrilous insinuations cast against them by a writer in 1 the paper in question is perfectly justifiable, and it is satisfactory

t:o know that all overtures for a compromise have been declined. The decision, of our Chief Magistrate in this case is anticipated with much interest, as it will show the amount of redress an innocent man can claim at the hands of the law for an injury he may sustain by being libelled, and held up to ridicule and contempt. It is not out intention to prejudice the easo, or to attempt by any comments of ours to influence the decision of the magistrates. We have sufficient confidence in their honor and impartiality to leave the matter in their hands for adjudication." If this is not an attempt to prejudice the case, we know not what is. As to either those or any other comments having any effect on the mind of Mr. Beckham, the public are pretty well satisfied. But to ourselves it is due that we should say, for the information of the public, that we have made no overtures and intend none. We say not this in the spirit of bravado ; we are simply on our defence. We have been fighting the battles of the people in the endeavor to correct evils which have been shamefully condoned ; and while we shall resign ourselves to the consequences, and bear whatever the law may impose, we shall be compelled, in our own defence, to bring to light the whole proceedings out of

■, hieh these causes have arisen, by having the testimony of every person able to throw light on the subject. This much we feel called on by duty to ourselves to say to the public, as explanatory of our silence respecting the irregularities over which the attempt is made to draw the mantle of forgetfulness.

To our dying contemporary, the News, we shall have the pleasure of replying fully by-and-bye. Our contemporary has not only given garbled and untruthful reports of proceedings in connection win this case, but has published a gross and violent libel respecting one of the proprietors of this journal, for which we hold that journal accountable. We have already chased the News from our neighbourhood, and the dismal conductor of it, after bearing for a time with the sight of crowds thronging around our office, while lonely silence brooded in his own, has now got as far away from us almost, as Queen-street will allow. It is for the sake of " more commodious premises" forsooth, " the large and increasing business of this establishment since the Horning Newa was started," having necessitated the change. We have a distinct remembrance of the same "kind of large and increasing business" being announced in connection with the late Morning Advertiser and News of the Dai/, in this city, and it necessitated a similar change to " more commodious premises," and it immediately preceded a a very important incident in the life of those two papers. The " large and increasing business" of the Morning and the Evening News is a subject of town talk. The circulation of the Evening Stab is at present never less than two thousand per night, and yet we have not felt necessitated to give up the " dilapidated chair," the " broken candlestick," or the "doubtful looking bottle." We are aware, from authentic sources, that our contemporai'y's evening edition does net reach a circulation of 500 per night, and. with the miserable parody of a morning paper, which appears as tho Morning News, we have reason to believe that the circulation of the two editions combined does not exceed seven hundred copies, or a little over one-third of our circulation daily. Had the conductor of our contemporary not published so < libeljous matter concerning us, we should jnot in the known circumstances of 'the News, have carried on unfriendly controversy. We really feel for the proprietors of the Evening News, fthe Morning News having been attempted to be built up on its ruins. jTho latter paper is, we understand, i the private {speculation of the "disirial" conductor of the Evening News^\ in which he has so libelled us. iHe came over from Tasmania to " vjisit the fatherless and widow in trieir affliction."

Considerable interest was manifested to- day around Mr. Canning's window in Queen-street, by the appearance of a live turtle. Several gourmands were seen shaking their chijops in anticipation of a feast. We are told that it was intended for the Mayor's Dinner, in order to give a real aldermanic delicacy—tuiftle I "vnyj. Its throat has been just cut as we go ' ■■ • , ~;»fll we believe it will ysotlucn outt of 'the* luxuries to be enjoyed to-night at the Masonic Banquet.

Last evening was the first on which we have had the opportunity of tenting the acoustic properties of the resuscitated Music Hall in Symonds-street. It appears te be well arranged to produce a satisfactory result; bat it seeing to us that many of the waves of sound evolved by the musical performers beating about the corners of the vaulted roof, and reverberate about the upper part of the hall, gradually returning just in tirao to spoil subsequent harmony. A sounding board fixed above the orchestra would entirely prevent this mischief, and would enable the chords to strike the ears of the audience, uncontaminated by the lingerng reminiscences of the preceding harmony.

To-night, will take place, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, the benefit of Mr. B. N. Jones, the deserving and bighly-taleuted lessee of that place of amusement. If a carefully arranged programme—a display of histrionic talent such as has seldom been seen in Auckland—and the high merits of the gentlemm who purposes appealing to his admirers on thi» occasion can ensure success, then, without doubt, the house will be crowded; and tho. e who may be fortunate enough to secure seats will receive a treat such as is not often to be enjoyed in this province.

As wo fully expected, the concert lust evening in aid of the funds of the Prince Alfred Troop of Light Horse, proved in every respect n grand success. The large Music Hall of the Choral Society was filled with, a brilliant audience, and the various performers acquit Led themselves in first-class style. Madame Winter had kindly volunteered her services and as usual, her performances on the pianoforte were characterised by brilliancy and accuracy of rhythm. Mr. Winter, too, sang some songs in his customary effective style, and several of the gentlemen connected with the corps acquitted themselves very creditably. Piper McCallum also contributed largely to the success of the entertainment, by performing a number of Scottish airs; and an exceedingly pleasant evening was concluded by a dunce, which was kept up till a late hour. Again, last evening, the American Excelsior Minstrels delighted a full audience at. the City Hall with their music and comicalities, Hnri will, to-night, repent the programme which gnvc so much satisfaction, to all who were present. ■ V,' . ~,,. '. •;■ ..;. ■.:,'!;• '■ .-.■:.;.■ ■-■%;.;>■.;,-..■ ..• ■- ■ i The high reputation Olson'.-' tomato sauce has obtained as a household condiment, has brought many inferior articles into the market The public are therefore warned not to be iuiposed \ipon with rubbish, but ask for Olsoa'a genuine totunto sauce, and see that bis name is on tho bottle.—[Advt.] .;,We have been requested to state that Mr. James Ferguson, sharebroker, Insurance Buildings, is not the plaintiff in the case of Ferguson v. MacCormmick, now boing heard at tho Supreme Court. The closing meeting of the present session of the Union Literary Society will take place this evening, at the rooms, Wollesleystroot, at 7.30, when a paper will be read by one of the members. In consequence of indisposition, tho RevMr. Warlow Davies will be unable to deliver his lecture on " Love, Courtship, and Marriage," on Friday next. Tho lecture h;is been postponed until Friday evening, the 27th of October. Tho Besident Magistrate's Court, on tho 29th of September, will be held in tho rear o\' the Court lately occupied by the Ofliiial Agent for the hearing of undefended causes. The defended causes will be adjourned to the 13th of ' October. We have been requested to state that the special jury cases set down for heating at the present civil sittings will not be taken until noxt week. Tho case of Nees v. Corcoran h a special jury cause, nnd will not therefore come on for hearing during the present week. Tenders are required for the restoration and enlargement of St. Mark's Church, Romuoru. Another of thoso now popular entertain* meiits will bo given this evening, iv the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, in aid of the Patients' Benefit Fund. Mr. S. C. Brown i ? to exhibit some of bin dissolving views; and Mr. McComifib, and several of the late Volunteer Band, will be in attendance, and render some of their choice selections. The object for which these entertainments arc held is a most worthy one, and if the weather i.at all favorable we have no doubt there will be a large attendance. Conveyances will leave Messrs. Quick's, Victoria-street. Most lovers like to be alone—with their sweethearts, of course.