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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2702, 14 October 1871, Page 2

Princess Theatre, Miss Dolly Green is evidently bent upon giving no excuse to the public for not attending the Theatre on the ground of “nothing new.” This evening one of the latest and best of tbe London coinedie", “Take that Girl away,” will be the opening piece; after which will follow “ Which shall I Marry ?” So excellent a bill of fare ought to draw a good house.

Supreme Court. —The address of Mr Smith to the jury, in Creed v. Dalgety and others, was concluded at noon to-day, tbe learned counsel having spoken over five hours. An hour was afterwards occupied in argument, and in drawing up additional issues to be put to the jury. Shortly after one o’clock, the foreman (Mr Turnbull) intimated that his Honor would be consulting the convenience of the jury if lie postponed summing up till Monday, which his Honor agreed to do. The Court then adjourned.

Trial by Jury.—ln the course of an argument in tbe Supreme Court to-day, Mr Justice Chapman expressed an opinion that the knowledge of the fact that a judge could only detain" a jury for twelve hours after they had retired to consider their verdict, had had the effect of causing juries not to agree, and mentioned some of the means adopted by them for whiling away the hours ot their detention, instancing in particular a recent case in which a iviracWy juror amused his companions for some time by singing songs. To this may he fairly added the case which occurred not many mouths ago, in which several of a jury that had been locked up passed away the time by cardpi lying.

Accident. — An accident, fortunately unattended with serious conserpiouces, occurred yesterday afternoon to nr David Sterling, carpenter, who was engaged in erecting the framework of the roof < f the new Presbyterian church at Port Ghalmers. The accident occurred through the breakage of a piece of wood on which Mr Sterling was standing whilst lifting a heavy piece of timber into its position. He was suddenly precipitated a depth of upwards of 20 f et, and, by great presence of mind, ho contrived to direct his fall clear of some large blocks of stone that lay close by. In his fail he sprained his ankle very severely, and sustained an ugly burise on the left arm by coming into contact with some wood. On being conveyed to his residence he was attended by Dr Drysdalc, and is progressing very favorably. Lunatic Asylum. —The first of a series of dramatic performances for the benefit of the patients in the asylum was given last evening, in the presence of a large number of visitors, by some ladies and gintlemcu who have constituted thmnselves the Lunatic Asylum dramatic troupe. The piece select d for representation was “Woodcock’s Little Game,” which as a first performance wont oil' remarkably well. Some of the performers show considerable histrionic talent, which, if cultivated, would enable them to use it with very happy results. The amusement hall, in which the performances arc given, now forms a very pretty miniature theatre. The improvements that have been lately made have been in the direction of making the stage better fitted for dramatic representations. Mr J. S. Willis lias painted a drop scene—a view of Dumbarton rock and castle, a reminiscence of Air Hume’s connection with a similar establishment in Scotland to that of which he is now superintendent—and some very effective scenery, Vice-Regal Bunkum.—The following rich specimen of Vico-Legal bunkum appears in a despatch to the Kail of Kimberley, dated December 1(5, 1870. Wri ing of the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit to Tuaranga, Sir G. Bowen, says : —“ No Europeans have as yet settled in the inland districts of this portion of New Zealand ; but bis Loyal Higlmc.-s was as safe among the Arawas in their own country as lie would be among the Gordons in Aberdeenshire. We were, however, attended by a guard of honor, consisting of a strong escort of the clansmen in arms for the Queen. The Duke of Edinburgh and Ids officers wore much interested by the many striking scenes and incidents of life in a Maori camp, especially by the war songs chanted by the Arawas around the watchfires whidi they kindled every night in front of our tents, On the other band, the native

warriors were delighted by His Royal Highness’ power of enduring fatigue ; by his good horsemanship and swimming ; by the skill and vigour with which he paddled his canoe across their lake-, and, perhaps above all, by his constantly wearing the kilt, which is the favorite dress of the Maori as of the Scotch Highlanders.” Mu J. Milnkr, auctioneer, will dispose of balance of goods at the Bazaar, by auction, to-night. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, kc., will be held on Monday evening, October IGth, from six to eight o’clock. The Union Permanent Building Society’s Office will be open this (Saturday) evening, from 730 to 830 o’clock for the receipt of subscriptions.