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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2641, 4 August 1871, Page 2

Scott’s Centenary. The inhabitant? of Waikouaiti intend celebrating the 9tli by a public dinner. Princess Theatre, Floyd” and “ Aladdin” wore played at the theatre last evening, but owing to other en-

gagements we were unable to attend; we ar , however, informed that the performance went of in a satisfactory manner, although,to a very poor house. This evening “Aurora Floyd.” will be repeated, after which will be presented the burlesque‘of “little Don Giovanni.” Suicide. —A telegram in one of our contemporaries states that on the afternoon of the 31st ult., a young mah named Edward M'Cullooh threw himself into the Molyneux at Alexandra, and was drowned. The body has not yet been recovered. Our Roads. —The state of the main road through the City is disgraceful. Round the Octagon, where kerbing and channelling have been going on, the mnd lies deep in the centre of the road, which from want of metal is a sort of reservoir into which surface water runs from both sides. Beyond Frederick street, both George street and Ivng street are becoming cut up, an I as the process of kerbing and channelling is going on, water cannot get away freely, so that damage is sustained every fall of rain. Unless proper repairs be attended to speedily, the cost of maintenance will b- much increased, and both the Provincial and Municipal Governments cannot be acquitted of negligence and waste if they do not give immediate at'.en i on to the matter. New Zealand Preserved Meats. — The An/u-i of July 15 has the following : Some tins of meat preserved by the New Z aland Meat preserving Company were opened for inspection on board thes.s. Rangitoto, at the Austral an Wharf, yesterday. They had been brought over from the company’s works at Timaru, Canterbury, by Captian Mackie, for the purpose of getting an introduction to the Melbourne public. Three tins) were tried, viz., one containing boiled beef, another sheeps’ tongues, and a third kidney soup. The time that had o’aps-d since the curing was stated to be two years. The whole of the samples were perfectly sound. The quality of the kidney soup was excellent, and calculated, if made known, to cause soup of this sort to sell well in Australia as Well as m the old countries, to which preserved meats are, for the most part shipped. The tongues likewise were very paiateable. The beef did not pass muster so satisfactorily, having suffered, as is generally the case with cooked beef, from over-cooking. It was wanting in juiciness, and somewhat coarse in appearance, but doubtless it would have looked considerably better if it hsd not been cooked a second time, like the tongues and soup, for the purpose of yesterday’s trial. Miss Gassy Matthew’s Benefit. — This talented lady is about to take a benefit; we believe we are justified in saying a “ farewell benefit ” on Monday evening next. We understand she is about to relinquish the stage and to retire into private life. We doubt whetner the pit 1 lie will rejoice at the intelligence, for however qualified to grace private life, there are few who will not feel some disappointment that her talents are to be withdrawn from the public. It has been the privilege of this lady to enjoy the distinction of continued public favour, and it must be conceded that her versa ile abilities have amply entitled her to this proud d stiuctiou. Though unequal to the highest efforts of the dramatic art, she possesses the power of arousing and sustaining an interest in the characters she represent. This is no mean praise. The great test efforts of the dramatic art may bo said to lie in the delineation of impassioned nature, in expressing emotion, ami in pourtraying by delicate touches the ever-varying lights and shadows of human character. To these higher efforts Miss Matthew's lays no claim. Her merit as an artist consists in attempting nothing beyond her powers and doing Well what she attempts. CertaTily, Miss Matthews has fully established a claim to public favour, and while she has contributed so largely for many years to our amusement, her benefit on Monday night will he, of course, a great event. The bouse wh eh has not re eived of late very large support, will bo, we apprehend, crowded to excess for the purpose of testifying to the general esteem in which this lady is held, and as an assurance that she ca'ries with her the best wishes and-.feelings of her numerous friends. Concert. —As we' hud surmised, the appeal for support made by the Jewish Philanthropic Society was liberally responded to by the public of Dunedin, who, last evening, despite the very inclement state of the weather, attended, in large numbers, the concert given in aid of the funds of the society at the Masonic Hall "Those who braved the weather rather than enjoy the comforts of their own fires des, were amply rewarded for any discomfort they might have suffered in having to traverse the muddy streets —which, thanks to the neglect of the powers that bo, were umuually muddy during the whole ot yesterday—as the concert was one of the most enjoyable that lias been held here for some time. It was our misfortune uot to be present at the opening of the concert; so that we lost a great portion of the first part. We have already stated our opinion of the concert as a whole ; and in speaking of it in detail, we must give full credit to Mrs White, on whom the great st share of the evening’s work fell, owing to the absence of a lady amateur in cons quence of a tec nb family bereavement. Mrs White, who appeared to treat the .additional task very lightly, was in capital voice, and sang with considerable taste and feeling. “ The sailor’s boy return” met with a unanimous encore, when she gave “We’d better bide a wee,” which was excellently sung, and deservedly applauded. In the second part she gave “Non tu Soguo” in a biilliaut manner, and being encored substituted Halle’s popular “Take this Cup.” In conjunction with Mr Marsdeu, Mrs White sang two duetts, which were also well received. In the second part, a lady amateur gave the difficult seeua from 11 Trovatorc, “ Twas Night,” but extreme nervousness completely marred the effect of what was otherwise a very creditable performance. The lady in question possesses a voice of some sweetness (though it lacks power), and one that evidenced considerable cultivation. Ou t.ojue other occasion no doubt, when she overcomes the defect we allude, she will be heard to advantage. The alteration of the programme allowed of the introduction of additional pianoforte solos. Of these that of Master Solomon, who by the way has much improved since his last public appearance twelve mouths ago, was deservedly encored; and one by Mr White and a pupil came in for a fair share of applause, as also did a solo by a young ddnit aitr. The gentlemen singers were unusually strong, and all acquitted themselves creditably. The opening chorus in the second part was encored ; and similar compliments were paid to Messrs Lyons and

Josephs. The gon£|ema»Avho sang a Lancashire ditty Tnade a decided hit, but could not be prevailed upon to repeat his song. Mr Wcstropp was as amusing as ever, and his songs were both encored. Air Lachman’s “Hen Convention” was also encored, and he gave a concertina solo instead. At the termination of the concert, Mr Nathan, President of the Society, returned thanks for the support given to the Society; and, in doing so, stated that its funds, which through heavy calls made upon them of late had become almost exhausted, were by the proceeds of the concert again replenished, and the Society would now he enabled to continue its good work. After the concert the room was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till an early hour this morning, Mr Lack’s band occupying the orchestra.