ARROWTOWN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 695, 13 August 1875, Page 3

ARROWTOWN.

—o—(FROM OUR OWN CORRUST'ORDEVT.) We had no O’Connell Centenary Banquet nr Ball here, so we celebrated the memory of the great Liberator after a fashion—more peculiarly our own—in the shape of a Dramatic performance by oar splendid local corps, on the evening of Friday last, which took place in the Library Hall. The enlo • taimnent commenced with the popular drama of “Rob Roy.” The piece was splendidly appointed, and placed upon tho stage in a manner that would have done credit to any trained professional company. There were no hitches whatever, everything worked beautifully smooth, and the actors were well up in their parts. -The incidental music was exceedingly well performed. The opening chorus, “Soon will tho Sun”, was very nicely sung; so, also, was Miss Fraser’s song, “ Oh, where, and oh, whore has my Highland laddie gone.” The glees “St. Mungo’s Chimes" and “A famous man was Robin Hood,” were effectively given, also, the drinking song—“AuldLang Syne”, in the tavern scene ; and equally well sung was the concluding chorus “ Rob Roy, M‘Gregor, oh”. Tho characters wore admirably sustained. Mr Hornsby, as Bailie Eicol Jarvie, xvas an unique piece of acting, and several times fairly brought down the house. Mr MacKay’s “Rob Roy” xvas a capital impersonation, while the “Dugal Creature” of Mr M'Kcchnic showed the half-witted wild Highlander to the life. Francis Osbahlistou, Mr George Romans, was an excellent performance; so was Mr J. C. B. Hornsby’s Rashleigh Osbaldiston, and Mr Healey’s Sir Frederick Vernon. Mr Cope’s (junior) “Captain Thornton” xvas very well acted, and this young gentleman xvas very well up in his part, and delivered his rather long speech in excellent style. Mr Mackey's “ Owen”, and MrO’Donohne’s “Major Galbraith” xvero carefully rendered. The “Sanders” of Mr P. Cotter, and the “ Martha” of Master Evans xvero excellent characters. Mrs Curtis xvas excellent as “Helen Macgrcgor”, and received repeated plaudits of the approval of the audience. Mrs W. Taylor interpreted the character of “ Diana Vernon" exceedingly xvell, and was loudly and deservedly applauded. The two young “Rob Roys,” Masters T. Cotter and K. Butler, looked admirably well in thoir Idlta, and danced a

reel greatly tojjtho amusement of the audience The whole reflected very considerable credit upon Mr W. MaoKay, the indefatigable stage manager. The very laughable farce of “ Out on the Sly” concluded the performance. On Friday, the 13th instant, the Dramatic corps take their departure by Mr Ord’s jouach for Cromwell, whore they give a representation of “ Rob Roy” on that evening, at the Athcnajum, in celebration of the Good Templars’ annual festival. On the following evening they are to perform the favorite Hibernian comedy of “Rory O'More", to conclude with “Out on the Sly”. The Company give this second performance to endeavor to recoup themselves for the very large expenses they have been subject to in providing the necessary accessories for their performances. The dresses and scenery have cost a lot of money, and when it is considered that the company, —musicians and all—include twenty persons, a trip to Cromwell is rather a formidable undertaking, and attended with no small amount of expense ; while a number of dresses and appointments have been especially provided to do honor to our Cromwell neighbors. I feel assured that you Dunstan and Cromwell folks will enjoy a very great treat, the like of which has never been presented to you before.

On Tuesday, a desperado or madman—it is impossible to say which—rejoicing in tho name of John Shepherd, surrendered to his bail, anil stood before the Resident Magiscrato, Henry A. Stratford, Esq., charged witn disorderly conduct and discharging firearms in a house frequented by persons having no lawful and visible means of support ; also, with assaulting Mr John O’Brien, while engaged assisting Constable Quinn to disarm the accused and convoy him to the safe keeping of the police station. Four different charges wore preferred against this disturber of the public peace. Upon two of these cases bo was lined 10s and costs, the rest being dismissed and withdrawn respectively. The magistrate inclining to leniency because accused was intending to clear out of the district. Mr John Thomson, of the firm of Jenkins and Thomson, was found dead in his bed on the morning of Friday last, at Eichardt’s hotel, Queenstown. Tho result of the post mortem examination, and tho verdict of the jury, showed death to have arisen from natural causes. The deceased was interred on the following afternoon in the cemetery, Arrowtovvn, avhen a large number of persons assembled to witness tho last offices for the burial of their departed townsman. Tho funeral service was very impressively performed by the Rev. Joshua Jones. Messrs W. J, Barry and Co., held a very successful auction sale of grocery, drapery, stores, buildings, ami town sections, also, 100 acres of farming land between Arrow Flat and Miller’s Flat, during Friday and Saturday last. The prices realised were exceedingly good, and the biddings spirited. The 101 acres of land, halt freehold and half held under deferred payments, realised L 3 17a 6d per acre all through.