The Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1870

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2171, 22 April 1870, Page 2

The Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 1870

Crowded Out.—Owing to the length of the telegram of English news, we are compelled to omit our usual leader, and several articles of local interest. The Premier.—We understand that the members of the legal profession here will entertain the Honorable the Premier at dinner at Mr Murray's new establishment, Rattray street, on Saturday evening. The Gaol. One of the Maori prisoners, Taituha by name, died yesterday evening in the Hospital. The decased, who Tjvas sentenced to three years penal servitude for high treason, has been suffering from chronic dropsy since his arrival, and has never done any hard work in the gaol. He was therefore removed, as a confirmed invalid, to the Hospital on the 11th of February. He belonged to the Wcsleyan persuasion, was

about 70 years of age, and a widower, leaving a son and a brother among the remaining prisoners to deplore his loss. The chief and the relatives will, to-night, pay the last visit of respect to lii 3 remains. Deceased was highly respected by the whole hapu, and had a happy and comfortable home in the Patea district, previous to the rebellion in the North Island. Deputation to the Premier. —A deputation, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, Captain Fraser, Messrs H. Driver, M.H.K. ; G. Turnbull, M.P.C. ; J. Seaton, M.P.C. ; J. Hughes, M.P.C. ; G. Wliittiugham, Fish, and Wilson (members of the City Council, waited upon the Honorable the Premier, this afternoon, to ask lmn if he would favor the Province with his views on the present state of New Zealand affairs. After a few remarks by his Worship the Mayor, who introduced the deputation, Mr Fox kindly consented to address our fellowcolonists on the evening of Wednesday next, at eight o'clock, in the New Post Office Hall. We understand that that evening has been chosen as most likely to suit the convenience of the working men. The Clutha Railway.—The Tuapeka Times is responsible for the following statement:—There is some chance yet of the Clutha Railway being carried out on the Government guarantee. We are informed that a letter was found amongst the papers of the late Mr Paterson, engineer, containing the tender of a capitalist, who was prepared to undertade the work on the terms offered by the Government. Mr Paterson's untimely and accidental death just happening at the time, accounts for the tender not having been lodged, We learn this tender is likely to come under the consideration of the Provincial Council. Princess Theatre.—The Minstrels had last evening a fairly numerous audience, although from the excellence of the entertainment the surprise i 3 the house was not crowded in every part. From its variety one would imagine there should be something that will suit every taste. The instrumental musia is good, the singing is such as is seldom heard, fche comicalities very funny, and the dancing very superior. Last evening the concert opened with a portion, and that the most difficult, of the oyerlure to " Fra Diavolo." The chief feature in it was the opportunity it gave Mr Northcote to show his rapidity of execution and correct intonation on the cornet. "I'm Lonely since my Mother Died" was very well given by Mr Sayers, as was also " Norah O'Neil," by Mr J. 11. Howell. This gentleman has a very sweet tenor voice of great compass, #nd promises to become a favorite. Mr J. H. Rainford's "Kiss me ere I Die" was given in his best Btyle. We cannot accord him higher praise. We regretted that so little was allotted to him, for we should have been glad to have heard him repeat some of those heart-stirring old songs we have listened to with such pleasure when sung by him on previous occasions. Mr L. Braham was in fine voice last evening, and sang "Annie Lisle" with feeling and expression. The relief given to the more serioue business of the evening by the comicalities of Messrs Bent and J. Cowan is enjoyable not only through the contrast of effects, but on account of thji genuine fun and humor of those gentlemen. ' Their style is very different, but each is excellent ji» his way, and no amount of stoicism could resist the laughter they invariably provoke, '' The four o'clock train " is a whimsical illustration of the pleasures of a haunted house. We should have been glad if the ghost had let Mr Rainford finish his song in peace, but it is so seldom that a body has opportunity of witnesring any other effects of the visits of wicked old ghosts than are seen upon the philosophic Hamlet or the conscience-stricken Macbeth, that it does one good to see how ordinary mortals look in their presence. In the third part, Mr Braham sang a ballad with such sweetness, fervor, and feeling that he was encored. Unfortunately at that moment the fire bell rang. We believe he finished his song, but both singer and hearers \pere unfitted to enjoy the effort. We should not omit to mention the effective manner in which the comet is managed in accompaniment. Its subdued tones blend alike with the stringed instruments, when they are played in tune and the voices. The harmonised portions of the songs are invariably exquisitely given, and to a musical ear no greater tyeat can be given than the pianissimo closing of gach piece. Every voice is subdued, not one is beard beyond the exact degree of strength required, every chord is unwaveringly true, and the effect is worthy of study by the vast numbers who are now cultivating music in Dunedin.

Accidents. —On Sunday afternoon last a very painful accident, which v/e regret to say terminated fatally, happened fco a child of Mr John Bryant, of Beaumont Ferry. The little fellow, who was some 20 months old, was standing on a box or footstool at the table, when his mother, who had just made tea, placed the teapot on the table, and had no sooner turned her back than the child got hold of it, and, putting his mouth to the spoilt, drauk some ,of the all but boiling liquid, and scalded his mouth and throat to a frightful extent. Dr. Halley was at once communicated with, and visited the child the same evening, and remained all night, endeavoring to mitigate the psift #nd allay the inflammation, but all in vain; the poor child died on the following day.--A man named Eennie, who had received a severe accident at Tuapeka Bush, to one of his legs, was brought to the Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. We have not heard the particulars of the accident further than that it occurred in the Tuapek* Mouth Bush, and the fracture of the limb is so serious, and the swelling so great at the knee, that nothing cau be done to it for two or three days.— Tuapeka Times.

JPiUE, —At about a quarter past ten o'clock last night, the police constable on the beat discovered the bakery of Mr Hudson, situated in a right of way off Princes street, to be on fire. The alarm was immediately given, and some persons attracted to the spot, obtained a small quantity of hose which was attached to a tap in the bakery, and by this means were enabled to prevent the fire spreading very much, until the ariival of the fire brigade, who mustered with creditable promptitude. When they got their hose into position, they had such a «trcam of water at their command, that the flames that had then just bur3t out, were [-at once effectually subdued. The damage done was very trifling indeed, amounting possibly to four or rive pounds. There can be little doubt that, as on the last occasion of a fire breaking out on Mr Hudson's premises, it originated above the oven, over which, it was found on a search being made last night, there was a. great quantity of accumulated

rubbish. Yesterday, we believe, Mr Hudson made proposals to the New Zealand Company to have his premises insured. The oyster season has commenced, and we notice that a fine sample of oyster is being exhibited at W. Jewitt's, in Princes street. A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is announced to be held in the Atheiueum on Monday next, at 3 pm, to consider the propriety of memorialising the Government for amendments in the bankruptcy law.