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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2051, 1 December 1869, Page 2

O Telegraphic.—The Otago Provincial Telegraph Line having been taken over by the General Government, the Colonial uniform rate will be in force for all messages in the future. On Dit. —We hear that Mr Lowe, of the firm of Campbell and Lowe, has bought the whole of Mr Richs’s valuable stock of merinos, and that Mr Julius has taken the wool in the grease at 7d per lb. Important.—A notice has been issued in the New Zealand Gazette., announcing that although it is not considered expedient by the Government to enforce the right of the Crown to the gold in the land sold in Nelson, in the interests of the public, that right will he enforced in respect of all other sales of auriferous land. We hope the Island Block will not, therefore, be lost to the public. Cur Council.—This afternoon Mr John Carroll took his seat as member for Bell Ward. His Worship the Mayor stated that his Honor the Superintendent had agreed to give the fittings of the old Magistrate’s Court for the use of the Mayor’s Court. Messrs Smith and Anderson in reply to the enquiry respecting certain valuations by Mr Langland*, said the proper course would be to revalue the property and give notice to the owners that the now valuation would be substituted for the old one. Mr A. H. Lakeman wrote respecting the public baths complaining of the failure of the lessee to carry out his contract. The Gas Committee reported that the City Surveyor had reported favorably of Mr A. K. Smith’s designs for new gas works. The Mayor said a special meeting of the Council would be called to consider the subject. Princess Theatre. The most striking piece we have seen for a long time was presented last evening at the Princess’s. There was a splendid house. The drama is entitled “ The Will and the Way,” after the popular novel of this name by Mr J. F. Smith, which first appeared in the London Journal, and embodies the chief incidents of this famous work. The piece is replete with dramatic situations, developcs its own plot in a natural yet forcible manner, and sustains a thrilling interest throughout. But whilst thus awarding a high position to the drama itself, we must not forget the artists by whom the piece was so admirably represented. To say that the representation gives great pleasure to an audience is to compliment the actors, who certainly possess the power to “do or damn” the best pieces. “ The Will and the Way ” was most effectively represented, all the parts being most correctly rendered and creditably sustained. Mr J. Rayner, as Old Martin, gave an admirable delineation of the old and faithful servant, who Ims lived all his life and at last dies in the service of his master. We do not hesitate to pronounce his acting in the death

scene the very perfection of dramatic art. The piece is full of striking pictures, but of the whole series, this is perhaps the most impressive, as it is certainly the most easy and natural. Mr Joyce, as Will Sideler, looked and acted the villain to perfection. Mrs H. Jackson, Miss Gassy Matthews, and Mrs Sam Howard rendered each her part with great feeling power and effect. Nor must we omit to mention Mr Cripps, who as a gaping country clown, has a part to play, and plays it well. The whole piece went without a hitch and was received with unmistakeable satisfaction by the house. Mr Rayner and Mr Joyce were honored with calls during the progress and at the end of the piece. The entertainment concluded with “ The Loan of a Lover,” in which Miss Forde as Gertrude delighted the house not only with her songs, which were exquisitely rendered, but by her acting ; and Mr Simmonels convulsed the house with his inimitable drollery as Peter Spyk. The same piece will be presented this evening. \ ‘ The Will and the Way" is fairly entitled to a long run ; and we believe the management will do an unwise thing to displace it unless it is to give way to the requirements of the Christmas festivities—the advent of pantomime and his jovial train of merry roisterers.