DUNSTAN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume V, Issue 250, 25 August 1874, Page 5

DUNSTAN.

(from OUR OWS CORRESPONDENT.)

. The District Court commenced its sittings on Monday last with the appeal case of Sun Yow v. Koch and others, which occupied the Court for two. days, resulting in the appeal being dismissed. In the case , of Morse v. Naylor, judgment was deferred ' for four months to allow lime for word to come from Canada, the residence of the plaintiff, as to whether a draft for the money now sued for had been received by him. The case of Donohue v. Briscoe and Co., in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, resulted in a nonsuit, plaintiff having to pay all expenses,’ which were considerable, illustrating the folly of rushing unprepared into the arms of the law. The Clyde . Choral Society gave their periodical concert oh Friday evening in the Town Hall, the object on this occasion being in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Asylum. As a musical effort it undoubtedly was the best yet achieved, looking at it of . course from an amateur point of view. It is to be regretted, however, that the- attendance' was poor, and therefore financially it cannot' be

considered that success which the object in View and the merits of the performers deservfed. The concert opened with an overture by-the Clyde Brass Band, which was quickly followed by, a glee'by the whole company, entitled “ The Carnival.” Mr Stevens then sung a solo, which was rendered ■ with great taste and feeling, though somewhat marred in effect by'indistinctness of articulation. Mr A. A. Oliver, then readily responded to his name, and read “ Tam O’Shan ter,” which, though excellently delivered, did not meet with that rapturous applause an entirely Scotch audience would have bestowed. The company again • fronted the audienfce, and their voices gave forth “Ring the Bell,” which was enthusiastically applauded. Another reading was announced, and Mr B. A. Snook, of Cromwell, was introduced, who read, or 1. should rather say acted, “ Professor Snuffles.” It is generally admitted, and, as a rule followed that criticisms on amateur efforts, especially on behalf of institutions, should be generous and laudatory, and therefore when warm praise is accorded it is attributed to this unvarying principle. And therefore I would rather abstain from speaking in too high terms, ■ contenting myself with re-echoing the opinions of all present, which were united in saying that Mr Snook’s readings, and especially that of the “ nationalistic Chicken,” were pieces of rare acting, in which the reader, carried away the audience, until the fact was forgotten that they were in a.country town instead of a city theatre. And when 1 say this gentleman, (a stranger to us all, by the way,) was encored, and that encore heartily responded to, a fact unprecedented .in the annals of amateur proceedings, or any. other that I am aware of, —no other eulogy can be accorded in testimony .of the appreciation of this gentleman’s ability.as a reader and delineator of character. Mr Earnes and ,Mr M‘Connochie also obliged. the audience, and received bursts of applause, especially the latter, who was heartily encored after his song, “They’re Cronies of Mine.” Glees and solos followed in due order, and at last, with' one, accord all those who were hitherto recumbent rose •'erect in obedience to the grand old strains of “God save the Queen,” which flooded the Hall with the rich harmony one is never tired of hearing, and to which our Band’—l'say it with a feeling of conscious pride,—did noble justice. And thxxs ended another of those pleasurable intellectual evenings for which we are indebted to the Society, and one wlxigh I am boxxnd to say, speaking for myself, no time or distance can .efface the recollection oh