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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2762, 23 December 1871, Page 2

Our Publication. —ln accordance with our usual custom there will be no issue of the Ereiiiny Star on Monday. Theatrical. —A private letter from Melbourne states that intelligence has been received from California that Miss Rose Evans was stricken with an apoplectic lit while playing iu Now York. This news says the letter, has caused mu eh sorrow to he felt for the little lady in California; where she is a grest favorite. Pike.—We hear that the residence of a settler in the North East Harbor named Greenfield was totally destroyed by fire this morning. For the last week the settlers have been burning the scrub close to the house, and the high wind this morning fanned into flame the smouldering embers around some old pine trees, and before its progress could be stayed the Arc had extended to the cottage, Wo believe Mr Greenfield was away from home at the time, and we have not heard the extent of his losses. Princess Theatre. A very fair house greeted the appearance last evening of Mr 11. Kelly, for whose benefit the performance was given. An excellent aud amusing programme had been prepared, which was further augmented by ist Patrick’s baud playing selections during the interval. The singing, of couase, was good, Mr Herman rendering very sweetly that pretty ballad “ Do they think of me at home ” Mr Amery gave “The Wandering Refugee” with great effect, the beautiful intonations of the voices in the chorus calling for an encore. Mr Clark sang the “Letter in the candle,” while Mr Kelly contributed a good share to the evening’s amusement by his comicalities. Professor Saunder’s harp solo was played with line execution, aud resulted in a recall, as also did Mr Amery’s Solo and “ Blooming morning glories,” by Messrs Kelly and O'Brien. r J’hc whole concluded with a laughable sketch, entitled “The Black Statue.” To-night “a tremendous bill ” is announced, and the “Two Pompoys” will be performed for the first time. School Treat.—We understand that the Sabbath schools in Port Chalmers are contemplating holding a united festival on Wednesday next. With a view to this, the teachers of the several schools met last evening, to receive the report of the sub-com-mittee appointed at a previous meeting. The Kev, J. tj. Smalley occupied the chair; and the following resolutions were unanimously carried: —’‘That the festival he hold as appointed, in the paddock of Mr Hugh M‘Demid, who has kindly offered it for the occasiou ; that the children of each school wear a ribbon of the same color, as a distinctive mark.” “That they meet at the Post ..Office, at 10 o’clock on Wednesday morning, form in procession, and walk to Sawyer’s Bay in the following order :—Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Congregational, Anglican ; and that two meals, with tea, milk, &c., at 1 o’clocn and 4 o’clock, be provided on the grounds.” Other resolutions of minor importance were also submitted aud carried.

Gale.—A southerly gale of unusual violence commenced last night, and has continued almost with unabated strength throughout the day. In town, pedestrians fonnd it no easy matter to traverse the streets, so strong was the wind at times. Wc fear that considerable damage has been done ; although beyond the unrooting new store in Bond street South, the Primitive Christians Chapel, in (treat Kin*! street, one of the turrets of the First Church spi c, which was blown down at noon ; the breaking of windows in various buildings, and the toppling down of sundry chimneys, no serious cases have come under our notice. Our Port Chalmers correspondent writes No casualities amongst the shipping have been brought under my notice, though such from the violence of the gale might have been reasonably anticipated. The moorings of the several fine vessels now in harbor must have, however, been subjected to immense strain, and that they should have been held well by their anchors duriii" the present gale is an additional proof or the superior character of the holding ground of our secure harbor.

Christmas. —in spite of the wind which blew nearly a hurricane to-day—in spite of the dust which nearly blinded those who were obliged to face it, many of our leading shops were decorated with fern trees and evergreens, and put in as gay an appearance as if the weather were pleasant enough to attract crowds of admirers. It may easily be imagined that this year the chief attractions were inside the shops, and as customary, Mr E. Menlove and the City Company exhibited some splendid meat of every description. The national Christmas beef, fat, well-grown and well-fed, formed the chief feature in both establishments. Mr Jewitt, in Princes street, exhibited a full supply of fine geeie, ducks, fowls, rabbits, and fish ; and Mr Harper, in the Arcade had a.i excellent show of birds for Christmas cheer. In confectionery, Messrs Dunning Brothers and Mr Hudson offer splendid Christmas cakes and other s eetmeats, and in Rattray street, Mr Murray has excellent provision of that kind. Christmas, in fact, promises to be kept well in memory by old traditional provision. As is usual, on Christmas Eve, there will be a special performance in St Joseph’s Church on Sunday evening. Grand High Mass will be celebrated, and the choral service will be given by a strengthened choir. For Monday there is little beyond the steamer excursions, concerning which tho fullest information will be obtained from our advertising columns. On Tuesday, all the Harbor Company’s steamers, the Samson and the Stormbird, are laid on for excursions,—some down the harbor, and some outside the Heads. The M.U.1.0.0.F., assisted by the Juvenile Sports Committee, promise a good day’s fun at the Northern Recreation ground. There is to be a treat at Vauxhall : and, last but not least, there is the German picnic at the Junction. From a knowledge of the arrangements made by our German friends, we feel sure it will be a very successful affair, if aided by fine wea ther. There will he a special performance at the Theatre, and the Diorama at the Masonic Hall in the evening. Entertainments. Counter attractions had the effect of making the attendance at the conceit at the North Dunedin drillshed last evening the smallest we have seen at any entertainment given there in aid of the building fund. The concert, however, was far above the average. Two lady amateurs, with Messrs Murray, Engel, Josephs, and Westropp, were the principal performers. A feature was the dancing of a young lady about six years old, who gave the Highland Hing iu a way that would not reflect discredit on many older performers. Mr E. M'Glashan, M. H.R., was in the chair; and Mr Sykes presided at the pianoforte. The entertainments which are given periodically at the Lunatic Asylum, wore brought to a close last evening, by a dramatic performance, followed by a dance, which was attended by over 100 of the patients and visitors, including some of our leading citizens. The farce of “St Patrick’s Day,” was represented by a troupe of amateurs, whose performances we had occasion to speak well of on a previous occasion. We should have liked to have been able to say the members showed the improvement which a more extended acquaintance with the stage would almost produce, but we are as yet unable to do so, except in a few individual instances. The lady characters were, however, capitally sust dried. Feeling sure that the advice we tender will be accepted in the spirit in which it is tendered, wc would point out that rapid utterance is an evil which should be promptly remedied; that greater attention should be paid to minor details, and above all that, to act properly, what is natural should be followed as closely as possible. The little theatre iu which the performances take place is fitted up with some really pretty scenery from the pencil of Mr J. S. Willis. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, Ac., will be hchl on Tuesday evening, December 26, from six to eight o’clock. The Union Permanent Building Society’s Office will be open tins evening and every Saturday evening, from 7.30 to g o’clock for receipt of subscriptions, &c. The offertories at St, Paul’s Church on Christmas Day will be given to the Benevolent Institution. Mr J. G. S. Grant announces that he will preach a sermon at the Octagon this evening on “ The Plymouth Brethern.” We are told that there is nothing made iu vain. But how about a pretty young girl. Isn’t she maiden vain ?