THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1866.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 850, 26 January 1866, Page 2

THE Evening Star. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1866.

We understand that a preliminary meeting of the Stock and Share Brokers of Dunedin was held yesterday in Mr Ball’s office, Stafford street. Mr Gillies, of Gillies and street, occupied the chair, and the following business was transacted: —lt was proposed by Mr Kennedy, and and carried, “That a Brokers’Association should be formed, to be called ‘ The Dunedin Stock and Share Brokers’ Association.’” Mr R. Creeth proposed, “ That a Committee be appointed to draw up rules for the guidance and management of the association, such committee bo consist of Messrs Sholl, Brodie (of the firm of Brodie and Walker), and Connell of the firm of Connell and Moodie). Carried. After a general conversation as bo the possibility of assimilating the proDosed rules with those of the London Stock Exchange, it was thought desirable :o leave the whole matter in the hands of :he committee, and that that when their 'eport was ready a special meeting of the brokers should be called, when it would se decided which of the proposed rules vould be adopted or rejected. This was greed to, and the meeting separated. Certainly the success of Miss Grace Sgerton (Mrs George Case) and her husband in Dunedin owes but little to the avorable influences of the weather or to ortuitous circumstances. Last evening heir new entertainment, “ Our Trip to he Rhine,” was produced for first time tere, and we regretted to find that he attendance was not at all worthy of he programme presented. The choral ervice in St Paul’s Church had undoubtdly something to do with this, and we rust that the good taste of the public dll-make amends by causing the Hall to e filled to-night. The first portion of ie entertainment commences at Bonn, on le Rhine, and a pretty scene, comprising distant view of the Drachenfels, with le exterior of an hotel in the foreground, itroduces the first “ odd people,” Miss feeps (Miss Egerton) and Guilio Augusts Mugg (Mr Case), to the audience. It ill not be out of place here to remark tat every appurtenance, whether in the ape of scenery or furniture, is in perct keeping with the scene of the various ipersonations, and tends greatly to aid e harmless and clever impositions which »th artistes practise upon their audience. , the first part, Miss Egerton sings, Roy’s wife of Aldivalloch ” with bonnie ” accent, and also dances a fling th ease and elegance. Mrs Chowdler great “ hit,” and her anion "Chowdler desires to force

her into the ‘‘Divers Court” was given in a broad natural style, peculiar to the class of viragos from which she selects one to impersonate. None the less natural was the “Mr Chowdler ” by Mr Case ; and and all the other characters were equally well represented. Leaving the comic portions of the performance, we are bound to use the highest terms of praise in referring to Mr Case’s solos upon the concertina. He played some selections from ‘ ‘ Lucia ’ with such expression and delicate feeling that nothing but consideration for the musician prevented an encore, for the audience, although not so large as we should have wished, was appreciative. Miss Egerton has a happy style in ■carolling French chansonettes, and one. Belle et charmante blonde, could not, for purity of accent, or style, have been surpassed by a Farisian. The third part was noticeable particularly for a spirited description of a foxhunt, by Lady Montchesnut Overbrook., in the delivery of which Miss Egerton reminded us forcibly of poor Mrs Nesbitt in her great character of Lady Gay Spanker in ‘ ‘ London Assurance.” It was simply good. We find we have but briefly noticed a few of the life-like portraitures given by these talented artistes. There are Sairey Gamp, the baby. Home Griffin, who imitates Kean wonderfully, all deserving a line, but limited space forbids at present, and we can only add that a visit will convey a better idea of the whole than any description we can give. The mails from the United Kingdom, &c., received by the Tararua yesterday consisted of 64 boxes and 10 bags, containing 9364 letters and 17,657 newspapers.

We are glad to learn that there is every prospect of the harvest in the Tokpmiriro district promising good. The Bruce Herald of yesterday says :—“ Harvesting operations commenced in this district on Tuesday last, when Mr A. Brown began to cut a field of fine oats ; it will, however, be some weeks ere the crops are generally ripe. We are glad to say that, despite the unfavourable season, the crops look well, and are likely to be fully equal to the average of previous years.” The full Choral Service at St Paul’s Church last evening reflected the greatest credit upon the whole of the ladies and gentlemen engaged, and to Mr G. R. West, the choir master, is especial praise due for the great pains he must have taken to bring his young pupils to the state of proficiency they exhibited. Rimbalilt’s service was almost perfectly performed, and Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis were also admirably given. The Church was well filled, and the whole of the celebration service attentively listened to. We are glad to learn that Sir Frederick Gore Ouseley has appointed a gentleman as organist for this church, and he was to leave London next month. It will be a considerable lightening of his labors, and doubtless highly gratifying for him to find, upon his arrival, the nucleus already formed of a thoroughly efficient choir. The Oamaru Times of the 25th inst. says -Yesterday afternoon the first “ break-down ” which the Dunedin Mail Coach has experienced for a considerable length of time past happened when it reached Otepopo. It was occasioned by the breaking of the hind axle. A blacksmith being at hand, he set to work to effect the necessary repairs, but up to a later hour last night the coach had not reached Oamaru. The mails and and passengers were detained, there evidently being no means of bringing them on to their destination. So accustomed have we become to the name Miss Julia Mathews in the programme at the Princess Theatre, that the announcement of her retirement from the Dunedin stage, somewhat suddenly made, is startling, and we may add not pleasing. Yet it is so ; and our citizens, who have, for so many months enjoyed the varied amusements afforded by 'the artistic exertions of this lady, cannot complain if she flya “ to-morrow to fresh woods and pastures new.” To recapitulate the many charming comedies, burlettas, and mirthprovoking burlesques Miss Mathews has taken part in .during .the past six

months at the Princess Theatre would occupy columns, which we would willingly fill, but cannot spare. Nor has our fair townswoman been niggardly of the great gifts bestowed upon her. Few musical efforts for charitable purposes or for the advancement of our local social institutions have not included her valuable, services ; and it is pleasing to • think that ini a city where stern puritanical objections- to theatres and their accessories might be expebted to have influence—nay, even to be excusable —-that, the lady who is now leaving us should have been so instrumental in proving, that the theatrical profession is not what some would have us believe, but contains within its circle a fair average of good husbands, wives, and “breadwinners,” who have only, by their actions to demand respect and gain it. To-night is really not Miss Mathews’ last appearance, as she will sing at the concert at the fbte in aid of the Otago Benevolent Institution at Vauxhall to-morrow afternoon. Milton (Tokomairiro) is petitioning for its formation into a municipality. Doubtless the heavy floods which have occnred in the mining districts lately, and the miners not having quite recovered from the effects of the holidays, have tended to Cause the Escort to be small. lisr consequence of the unfortunate break in the weather, the parade of the Artillery Regiment is postponed ; but it is advertised in another column thnt the quarterly meeting will neverthelc ss t i e place. A TELEGRAM received in town to-day states that the Keera, with the Star o: the South (lately wrecked on Chalkey Inlet) in tow, left the Bluff at midnight yesterday for Dunedin. We are indebted to the purser of the steamship Otago (which arrived too late to enable us to receive copies of her dies) for the following ; —The Otago let Sydney on the 15th inst. at 1 p.m., s and arrived at Nelson on the 19th, having made the run in four days four hours and a half. Throughout the passage experienced fine noitherly weather. Left Nelson on the the 22nd at noon, and arrived at Picton at 7-30 p.m. ; left Picton on the 23rd at 9.45 a.m., arriving at Wellington at 4 p.m. the same day. In crossing the Straits met with strong S.E. gales, with heavy sea, and thick, rainy weather. Left Wellington, 4.45 p.m. on the 24th; arrived at Lyttelton 3.30 p.m. on the 25th, left at 6.50 p.m. of the same day ; arriving at Port Chalmers at 1.30 p.m. 26th inst. Passengers—Lady Don and servant, Mr H. D. Wilton, Mr and Mrs Salomon ; Rev Messrs Roupinell, Tresselat, Sartzeau, Mrs Levien and child, Messrs Dillon Bell, Pole, Towers, Fraser, Beck, 15 for Melbourne, and 13 in the steerage.