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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2365, 31 October 1870, Page 2

Telegraphic. —Tuesday, November Ist, being the anniversary of the Provinces of Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough, Sunday hours will be observed at the following telegraph stations :— Napier, Spit, Waipukurau, Waipawa, Blenheim, Pictou, Havelock, and Kaikoura. Rifle Match.—A competition between some of the members of the Naval Brigade for four now rifles took place at the new range, Anderson’s Bay, this morning The ranges were 300, 400, 500, and 600 yards, five shots at each range. Owing to the wind, which came in smart puffs right across the range, the shooting was very bad, some of the men almost f ailing to find the target at all at GOO yards. Subjoined are the names of the winners :—P. O. Mackenzie, 51 ; Gunner Grainger, 51; Gunner Begg, 50; Gunner Patrick, 44. The Princess Theatre. —The sensational three-act drama, entitled “ The House on the Bridge of Notre Dame,” was produced for the first time in Dunedin on Saturday evening. There was a fair though certainly not a crowded house. Highly improbable as is the story, the piece abounds in situations of essentially dramatic interest. The Count de Forquerolles (Mr Musgrave) executes a will by which he disinherits the rightful heir, the Chevalier de Forquerolles (Mr Lawrence), and bequeathes the bulk of his estates to the Countess de Forquerolles (Mrs Edouin Bryer’s) son, Ernest de la Garde (Miss Carry George), whose return home is hourly expected. The Count dies, and the Chevalier secretly determines, with a view to the ultimate possession of the property, to remove the Countess’s son from his path. He seeks, and soon finds a willing Accomplice in f igobertj (Mr Collier), who has the merit of looking the most accomplished villian a bad man could desire companionship with. Ernest de la Garde is waylaid, entrapped inio lligobert’s house, and murdered by the Chevalier, and after the body is thrust into a cellar the house is destroyed by fire. The scene changes, and Zambaro, a gipsy (Miss Carry George), makes his appearance, and his striking likeness to the murdered young Ernest de la Garde suggests to Pigobert, when his consternation .at the supposed apparition has-subsided, that something mutually advantageous may be gained if Zambaro will personate the part of the deceased Ernest de la Garde. Zambaro hesitates at first, but his reluctance is 'sCon overcome, and the compact is sealed. Presenting himself to the Countess, he is received with some show of affection, though with apparent reserve, until he produces some documents and a minature stolen from the dead man, which have the effect of clearly establishing his identity and calling forth maternal love. But the most trying ordeal has yet to be gone through. Though acquainted with the particulars of the murder, and under what circumstances, and by whom committed, Zaraboro has yet to face the murderer himself. The Chevalier is lording it over the estates, and though when Zambaro first appears he exhibits some trepedation, he soon becomes satisfied that Zambaro is an impostor. But how to make this fact known to the Countessjwithout revealing bis own villany, is the difficulty. Fortunately at this juncture Melaine (Mies Lizzie Bushe), a pretty girl, formerly beloved by Ernest de la Garde, appears upon the scene, detects and denounces the imposture of Zambaro, Everything promises well for the Chevalier, who, emboldened by the present aspect of affairs, also joins in the denunciation of the impostor. Efforts are made by Eigobert and Zambaro to bring home the crime of murder to the Chevalier, who in the spirit of triumph calls for proofs of the alleged villany, when lo! Prester John ! surprise of surprises ! in walks the veritable Ernest de la Garde, who would not die although he ought to have died, and overwhelms the Chevalier with confusion. Zambaro, too, upon enquiries turns out to be the identical “ child of shame,” whom the old Count, when dying, solemnly requested the Countess to shelter and protect. The piece was well put upon the stage, and its every part well represented. Perhaps on the Counts death some of the trappings of some slight symbolic show of mourning might in decency have been paraded, Tho piece was, however, most cordially received by the audience, and the .actors warmly applauded. Miss Carry George—and we are always disposed to place her the dual part, and' with great force and success. Mr Musgrave, as the Couht, i; gavc ns a death scene at once striking and effective. Mr Collier looked and played the villain to perfection. The part of the Chevalier was forcibly represented by Mr ‘ Lawrence. The Countess was personated by Mrs Bryer with a quiet dignity that admirably suited the part. Miss Lizzie Bushe was also successful as Melaine. Mr Metcalfe, too, came in for his share of applause in the character of the lawyer’s clerk Pettiso. The Misses Harward and Willis, as Colette and Adeline, made the most of their respective parts. All the minor parts were creditably played. The evening’s entertainment concluded with the farce of “ Twenty Minutes with a Tiger,” which called forth repeated bursts of laughter from the audience. The same programme will be repeated to-night.

Mr. Bathgate will address the electors at the Oddfellow’s Hall this evening at 7.30. J

The proposed communication of the Provincial Grand Lodge, will he ,holden this evening at 7.30. The committee of St. Paul’s Church will he rea'ly to receive contributions,- &c., at the Masonic Hall after to-morrow.

Mr Fish’s committee meet to-night on important business at the central committee room, next Mr B. Isaac’s, chemist, at 7 o’clock.

Mr Birch will address the electors this evening, in the Old Masonic Hall, at seven o’clock; also at the Royal Hotel, Water of Leith, at 8.30,

The usual meeting of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society will be held at the Athenroum to-morrow, at 8 p.m. Business :—Address by the President; subject —“ Notes of a Trip to the North.” The first annual ball of the Peninsula Division Dunedin Naval Brigade, was held at their Drill Shed, North East Harbor, on Friday evening last; when, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather and the long distance many of the visitors had to come, the attendance was very largo. The Shed was artistically decorated with numerous flags .and evergreens in a manner that reflected great credit on the part of the management. Mr Lack’s band was in attendance, and the dancing was continued until the early dawn of day.