NEW PUBLICATION.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2553, 24 April 1871, Page 2

NEW PUBLICATION.

The “ Law and the Liquor Traffic,” is the title of a lecture delivered in Dunedin by the Iter. W. Gillie*, which ha* been printed at the request of the Morning ton Total Abstinence Society, for sale by Messrs Keith and Wilkie, Although it contains

nothing new, is occasionally illogical, and now and then rather dry, it is worth perusal as bringing before the public the curse of the age—“ dmnkenness.” The teetotallers have done much for humanity. Before their time reformed drunkards were rarities. Forsaken by all who valued their respectability, they could only find associates in those of kindred habits. Teetotallers overcame this difficulty, and provided means by which a change of associations became possible, aud through their agency thousands have been reclaimed who would otherwise have perished in degra mtion aud vice. Their well meant efforts c'uld not have succeeded had they not been enthusiasts ; and perhaps it is one of the inevitable attributes of enthusiasm, to blind those inspired by it to the rights and liberties of other men. It is just this d nger which tends to array soberminded people against the movement. Jhe difficulty they have now to deal with is to reconcile legal interference with individual liberty. It has been often tried, but always failed. The simple reason is that no law can act beneficially for which the public mind is not prepared. Before restrictive legislation can be acceptable, public opinion must be educated, aud when that is effected there will he little impediment to enforcing well considered regulations. On this ground we commeud the lecture to our readers.

Fatal Accident. —Mr Barber, the well-known vintner at Hamilton, and contractor for the mail from Kyeburn to Hamilton, was thrown out of his dog cart on Saturday morning last, and killed on the spot.

Theatrical.—The “News of the World” says : The long-looked for wanderers from Australia—Mr and Mrs C. Matthews and Herr Baiidmaun, arrival two days ago from Australia. Mr Matthews is already engaged at this theatre, and will make his first appearance in “ Married for Money, and ‘ ‘ Fatter versus Clatter, ” Very considerable curiosity is manifested respecting him, and there is no doubt but that his engagement, which is limited to ten nights, will be highly satisfactory to himself and the management. Mrs Matthews is not announced, but it is probable that she will join her husband in some of the old comedies during their too brief stay amongst us.—Miss Rose Evans has played an engagement in Sacramento, and is now delighting the good people of Virginia, Nevada. She has justly established herself as a favorite, and conlirmed the good opinion held of her by the public of San Francisco.