Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 3017, 19 October 1872, Page 2

Princess Theatre. —Despite counter attractions, there was a good attendance at the Iheatre last evening, when the, 44 Hunchback” was repeated. To-night, the 44 Octoroon” is is to be played lor the last time. vSporting.—The following arc the weights for the Christchurch jockey Club Handicap Peeress, lost. 71bs. ; Yattcriua, pit. 10 lbs.; Gazelle, 9st. ; Queen Bee, Bst. Gibs ; Brunette, Bst 61b-?. ; Tambourini, Bst. olbs. ; Talisman, Sat. olbs. ; Malice, 7st. 121bs. ; Detractor, 7sfc. 71bs. ; Batsman, 7sfc. 71bs. ; No Name, 7st. 2 lbs. ; Barbarian, Gst. 1211)3. ; Dragon, Gst. 2lbs, ; Adonis, Gst. 21bs. Fire at Invercargill.—Tho flax mill at Dacre, belonging to Mr Basstian, and rented by Mr H. T. Cullen, was totally destroyed by lire on the evening of the 10th inst. The establishment consisted of two buildings, containing two dressing machines, scutchers, press, driving gear, &c., together with about four tons of fibre, packed in readiness for sending away. The mill was usually kept working to a late hour at night, and the origin of the fire is no doubt attributable to carelessness on the part of some smoker in throwing away a lighted match The property was totally uninsured, and tho loss is estimated at L4ob, Webb’s Line. — An Auckland telegram states that the San Francisco News of the World, received by the Nebraska, says, after thorough investigation it is prepared to say that the debate published in the New Zealand papers with regard to the mail service never took place. It denies the charge made as to the paper being an organ for

Webb’s line, and concludes by stating that it is confident liberal aid will be given by the American Government to the present steamship line to Australasia. It can by authority state that wealthy residents in New York city are confident Government aid will be extended to the service, and have made propositions to become interested when success is finally achieved. It assures New Zealand that it need not lie ashamed of having established this great undertaking—with the assistance of Yankee pluck.

Concert. The annual entertainment of the Citizens Cricket Club, which was held in the Headquarters Drill Shed last evening, was % most unqualified success, so far as attendance went, for every part of the spacious build.ng w r as we;l Hilled. Bub the concert itself was exceedingly weak ; though such a result is not to be wondered ar, as it is a matter of exceedingly great difficulty to obtain anything new in the shape of singing, which is the desideratum. Bub the singing of Miss Webb and the other lady who gave her services; the dancing of Messrs Dixon and Haunigan, and the negro eccentricities of Mr Dixon were good, and merited the applause each received. A feature of the programme was the reading of the conundrums sent in to compete for the two prizes offered by the Club for the best conundrums on politics and cricket, proved a fertile source of amusenn nt. Messrs Massey, Solomon, and Walter, wera nominated to select the best of the forty productions which were sent in. In selecting the most deserving of the political ones, they found themselves placed in such difficulty that they decided upon submitting two of them to the audience to be judged. The two so submitted were as follows “ Why can the present Ministry date more anciently than any other! Because it was formed under the Jewish Dispensation. ” ‘ ‘ Why did Mr Stafford’s Ministry fail to inspire confidence ? Because he turned out a Fox, and trusted to a reed (Reid) for support.” The latter was at once pronounced the winner. The following was selected as the best conundrum upon cricket: In what respect does the Dunedin Cricket Club resemble Watt, the inventor of the steam engine ? Because their success was mainly owing to a Kettle puting on steam.” To our thinking, however, some of the conundrums which were read as samples of the worst sent in were belter than those which were selected for the approval of the audience. The -winner of the prize for politics was Mr D. H. Hoy; for the one in cricket, Mr R. Greenfield. The second best political one was Mr Forster’s. After the concert there was a ball, which was attendee! by a large company, who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The orchestra was filled by Messrs Reichardt, Anderson,-Lamb and Lind ; and Mr Watson of the Royal Hotel catered.

The annual meeting of the Caledonian Society will be held at Wain’s Hotel, M anse street, on Monday evening, at eight o’clock. The Anniversary Social Meeting of the Congregation of St. ndrew's Church will be held in the new Hall, Walker street, on Tuesday evening, at half-past six o’clock. A meeting of the members of the Caversham Sub-division of the South District Rifles, will be held in the Drill Shed, Caversham, on Tuesday evening, at 7 30. We notice from an advertisement in another column that his Honor the DeputyiSuperintemh'.nt invites all gentlemen interested in the representation of the Province at the Exhibition at Christchurch to meet in the Provincial Council Library, on Monday, at twelve o’clock.