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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2268, 13 August 1870, Page 2

Neav Company. Amongst other simis of progres, avc observe that a new lightering company is in course of formation for cnvoying goods between Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Mayor’s Court. The business transacted to-day Avas unimportant. Mary J.irvey, a A’cry old offender, Avas sent to gaol for a fortnight for drunkcxuuss ; and Robert Tomlinson, charged Avith being a deseiter from JLM.S. Blanche, Avas further remanded for seven days. The San Francisco Mail. —A great deal of misapprehension exists as to the date Avhen the City of Melbourne Avith the June mail’Avas due at Auckland. The local journals state on authority she Avas not expected there until the 10th inst. at the earliest, but that she would most probably arrive on the 12th. The mail Avill therefore be due at Nelson to-morroAV. To Correspondents. Occasionally avc have petit poems of some merit, that to insert as they are received would uot be creditable to the writers, because of their defective rhythm. To correct this would involve more labor than could be devoted to the Avork. We can Avithout much trouble mend bad prose, but if persons will Avrite poetry, they should learn to scan it correctly, so that their ideas may ba expressed elegantly in their oavh Avay. Masonic Hall. Mr Heller’s entertainment Avas avcll attended last evening—a fact Avhioli is quite sufficient to proA r e that, notAvithstanding the many other amusements offered to the public last evening, his possessed charms for a goodly number of the sight-seeing community. Nor Avcro visitors at the Masonic Hall disappointed—his tricks being amusing, and his playing superb ; truly his fortii is the piano. To-night there Avill be an entire change o c programme. New Avondcrs Avill be presente I, if possible, more Avonderful than before. Mr Heller Avill play selections from “ II Trovatore” on the piano, and “ A aid Robin Gray” on the “ Orgue Molodique.” To loA r ers of music ami lovers of the marvellous, avc alike cordially recommend a visit. Supper. One of those reunions Avhich serve to render more pleasant the relations bctAVcen employer and employee took place last evening at Macgrcgor’s British Hotel, George street, when Mr Strachan, proprietor of the Victoria Brewery, Avas entertained at supper by the persons employed at his establishment. Mr Kilgour occupied the chair. After the capital spread provided by mine host had been done ample justice to, the health of Mr Strachan was proposed and warmly received. In acknowledging the compliment, he remarked that that day AA'as the aniuA'ersary of the e-tablishment by Liui of flip Hrsf. liroAv-pvy in Dunedin, nine ye irs ago. It had been attended by considerable difficulties—some of them of quite a startling character; but they had been all overcome. That eA r ening’s celebration bad not originated Avith him ; but he trusted it would not be the last of them. The remainder of the evening Avas spent in a very convivial manner. Entertainments. — No better proof of the popularity of the entertainments given under the auspices of the North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society, could be adduced than that furnished by the attendance at tlie drill shed last evening. Despite the counter attractions in the city—and their name Avas legion—the shed Avas inconveniently croAvdcd. The programme presented comprised a capital selection of concerted music, although from reasons Avhjch must be obvious, it was not so extensive as those given on previous occasion*. The performers, however, got through the additional task imposed upon them, Avonderfully well. Miss Webb gave tAvo songs which Avere encored; and Mrs Saunders, Avho volunteered one, was equally successful. Messrs Thompson, Towsey, Steele, and Hume, also sang Avell ; and Mr Cavalier’s solos on the concertina were deservedly applauded. Mr Henry read a selection from one of O’Malley’s Avorks, in his usual effective style. We regret to think that even in this remote portion of the globe the reign of bigotry continues. The selection, Avhich any. right thinking person Avould not cavil at, appeared to give offence to a feAV, whose religious enthusiasm outrun their discretion. Wetrust that there Avill uot be any repetition by such unseemly interruptions. Mr Jas. Copeland presided.—The senior pupils of the South District School, assisted by several lady and gentlemen amateurs, gave their quarterly entertainment in the Schoolhousc last evening ; Mr E. B. Cargill presided, and there Avas a very large attendance. The selection of readings and music Avas excellent, and nearly every piece Avas avcll rendered. The most amusing part of the entertainment Avas the debate on the question “ Whether docs education or commercial enterprise confer more lasting benefits on a country,” Avhich Avas conducted Avith due regard to deconn and Parliamentary etiquette ; and showed very careful training in elocution. Mr Brown presided at the piano, and lent valuable assistance.

A New Militia Act.—A new Militia Bill has been brought into the House of Representatives by the Defence Minister. It has been famed with a view of remedying the defects and abuses of the present system, and establishing a new one which will accomplish the ends the other has failed to achieve. It provides that the Militia shall consist of all the male inhabitants of the Colony between the ages of 17 and 55, who have resided six months in the Colony. The exemptions are very numerous, and are as follow-Judges of the Supreme Court, members of the Executive Council of the Colony, members of the General Assembly, Superintendents of Provinces, Secretaries and Under Secretaries of the Colonial Government, Judges of the Native Lands Court, or Compensation Court, Civil Commissioners, Chairman of the County Council of Westland, Resident Magistrates, clergy and ministers of all religious denominations, who shall for the time being be officiating ministers within the meaning of “ The Marriage Act,” 1858,” and the act amending •the same, professors in any College or University, members of Provincial Councils dur-

ing sessign, members of the > Council of Westlau4-during session, sheriffs and constables, wardens and other officers of a proclaimed goldfield, duly qualified medical men in practice, telegraph clerks, wardens, keepers, warders, and guards of every public gaol and lunatic asylum, and the attendants on the sick in every public hospital, ipostmasters, mail carriers, and ferrymen, masters of public and common schools ’actually engaged in teaching, seafaring men (other than watermen and boatmen) actually engaged in their calling, all volunteers enrolled under any Volunteer Act for the time bcina in force within the Colony, all persons afflicted with any infirmity, the aboriginal inhabitants of Hew Zealand, and every person holding a miner’s right, resident on a proclaimed goldfield. A clause, however, provides that the Governor shall have power to suspend the of Maoris and minors in every district. The Mditla arc to be divided into only two classes, men between 17 and 40, and men betw. en 40 and no years of age. M arriage is7no longer an exemption from the fist class. Battalions are to be formed, and tlie necessary oHicers appointed, tlic country being divided into battalion, districts, the officers are to be carefully selected, and all their proceedings, so far as [possible, carried out on the model of a regular army; offences, and the punitive poweis of the civil and military authorities are more clearly defined than heretofore ; and when the Militia is on active service, strict discipline will be maintained, and the Mutiny Act enforced. Princes's Theatre. Mr and Mrs George Darrell took their joint benefit last night at the Princess Theatre, and wo are glad to say it was a most successful one. The house was literally crowded in every part, and many were obliged to go away through want of room. The performance was under the patronage of his Worship the Mayor and City Council. Lucretia Borgia was played with the assistance of the Garrick Club, who never appeared to so great advantage as last night. Were it not that we knew the members of the Club, and knew them to be amateurs, we should have sot them down as professionals. There was no bitch, at lenst nothing observable. The tragedy is of deep interest, and is founded upon some of the traditional incidents in the life of the notorious Lucretia. The plot turns upon the jealousy entertained by the Duke D’Este (Mr White) of the young man, Gennaro (Mr George Darrell), who not knowing the secret of his birth, in vain seeks to learn who and where his mother is. Mr White throughout played with groat power, and a true appreciation of the situations. In the scene in which he compels Lucretia to administer poison to Genuaro, his acting was true to nature. There was nothing overdone. His elocution was masterly and ap-propriate-look, voice, and gesture suited the occasion. So far as Mrs Darrell is concerned, wc cannot speak too highly of her. The character of Lueretia is a difficult one. The variety of emotion incident to it, the change of situation, the alternate gushings of tenderness, occasional remorse, fierce hate and fell revenge, were all given Avith a force seldom equalled, and still more rarely, if ever excelled. In the last scene, in which she causes poison to be administered in mistake fo Gc-nnaro, and to lour others by design, and in which receiving her death blow from bis hands, she just lives to tell him he has murdered his mother, both she and Mr George Darrell displayed high dramatic powers, and raised the feelings spectators to the highest pitch, but they delayed too long to bring the tragedy to a close The human nerves cnnnnot bear tension so prolonged, re-action sets in, and we think it would be wise to shot ten the scone consul- rably, The tragedy concluded, g ime light laughter provoking amusement followed. “The Girl of the Period” attracted numerous admirers, who were not satisfied with one peep, but would have a second look at her. The d'annet between Messrs Whitworth and Henry, resulted in the former winning by one out of fifteen. We expected last night would have closed Mr and Mrs Darrell’s public services here, but are glad to say that the very successful performance of last evening will be repeated this, when a third of the gross proceeds will be appropriated to the Benevolent Institute. W r e hope the theatre will be as well filled to-niglffc as it wq,t} lagt night, both on account of the intrinsic merit of the performance, and the addition that will then be made to the funds of the Institution.

The Rev. Robert Scrimgeour 'will preach at St. Andrew’s Church tO-morroAV at the usual hours. All entertainment is to be given at Moruiugton on Monday evening. The programme provided for the occasion comprises readings, recitations, songs, &e. Mr Wc-s----tropp has kindly consented to appear.