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Evening Star, Issue 3030, 5 November 1872, Page 2

A Wholesome Clearance.— The Xcw Zealand Herald declares that “if the Assembly would only repeal four-fifths of the laws on the Statute Book, it would confer an inestimable benefit on New Zealand.” Assaulting a Bailiff. —At E»ngiora, Canterbury, a man who assaulted a bailiff while engaged in the execution of his duty, has been fined in the full penalty of L2O, with tho alternative of three months’ imprisonment in default of payment. Imprisonment for Debt.- -The impression appears to have got abroad that Mr Gillies’ Bill for the abolition of imprisonment for debt became law. It is not the iact. The Bill passed the Lower House, but was included among the measures that did not reach tho Council. Strange Death.—A young man. named George Seymour, aged 20, son of Captain Seymour, of .mckland, struck himself with the lash of a whip whilst driving stock. The wound gradually got worse, and symptoms of tetanus set in. Shortly afterwards his jaws set as firm as a vice, and he died on the 30th ult. Not Complimentary.— ln one of the debates at the close of the session, Mr Swanson said there was not a Provincial Council in the Colony which did not conduct its business with more dignity aud know ledge of the subjects under consideration than the Assembly, and the Wellington correspondent of the Auckland Herald endorses the statement. Educational. Mr John Griffen has been elected a member of the Dunedin School Committee, in place of Mr H. S. Fish, junr., resigned. Mr _ Murrary of Maungatua, has been appointed to the second mastership of North. Dunedin School, in place of Mr M‘Leod, resigned. Immigration.— We are glad to learn that tbo Government are taking prompt measures to place the matter of immigration on a sound footing. Instructions have been forwarded by cable to the Agent-General to place the Scotch Agency on its original efficient arrangement, and to take care that the emigrants from Scotland are despatched from Glasgow. An Irish Agency is to be immediately opened in Dublin, to secure a fair proportion from the Emerald Isle ; and all from any quarter who are suitable are to be. dealt with liberally. Oddfellowship in Melbourne.— The foundation-stone of a hall and asylum of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Independent Order of Oddfellows in Melbourne has been laid. The front part of the hall will contain the lodge-rooms, reading-room and library, Grand Secretary and Grand Master’s offices, and this portion will cost L4OOO. At the back will be a large room 80ft. long and 50ft. wide, and 40!t. high, which, together with the asylum cottages, will cost an additional sum of LGOOO, making a total of LIO,OOO. Mornington.—The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mornington Band ef Hope was held in the school-room there last evening ; Mr Hardy in the chair. The chairman, in his opening remarks, referred to the Society's annual pic-nic, and said he anticipated that the kindred Societies in and around Dunedin would join together and form a monster pic-nic on St. Andrew's day. The treasuier read the annual report, which showes that after paying L 7 10s, the proceeds of the late concert, to the Dunedin Band of Hope for its band, there remained L 8 cash in hand. The evening was pleasantly spent in singing recitations, &c. Fire Brigade.—At the Brigade’s monthly meeting held last night, tho resignations of Mr Uraigie, as sect clary, and Mr Birmingham, as a woiking member, were accepted. A letter was read from the B.dlarat Brigade thanking the Dunedin Brigade, on behalf of the relatives of the late Mr Galbraith for the kind and onerous assistance rendered by them in carrying out the funeral arrangements of their late brother fireman, and assuring the Brigade that they feel deeply the obligation. Mr Robertson, engine-keeper, was elected secretary ; and the Brigade’s patronage was extended to the Foresters' fete, and Provincial band’s social gathering, Mr Thomas Mitchell was elected a working member; and it was resolved that at future monthly meetings members should appear in working uniform for dry practice. Princess Theatre. —Last night’s performance was not required to convince us of Mr Hoskins’ versatility ; for on no other ground can wo account for the production of “Hamlet,” with him aa the Prince. We confess to being wholly unable to recognise the superlative merit of the performance : it was undoubtedly good, but we have seen many better, Mr Hoskins, as might be ex-

pected, gives us a scholarly reading of the character; but it presented no feature of novelty. There was a disposition to imitate a variety of styles familiar to many of his audience as to himself, interspersed with an occasional mannerism essentially his own. 'J he scene with the Queen mother was the only one in which Mr Hoskins acted as though he appreciated the character. Mr Douglas was effective in the dual part of Laertes and Chief Player; Mr Musgrave good as Polonius, if it had not been that ho occasionally gabbled over hia lines like a schoolboy—a fault of his often noticeable when he plays Shakespeare ; while the remaining male characters were tolerably well filled—Horatio excepted. Hamlet’s friend was last night personated by a veritable dummy Miss Colville should have changed places with Miss Austead ; for it was absurd to attempt to realise that Hamlet’s mother was but twenty-eight years old, for certainly Miss Colville did not look older. To-night “ Love’s Sacrifice ” will be played. We can corrmend those who like to see a fine play well acted to visit the Princess’ this evening. Judging by the way scats have been taken, there ought to be a good house.

Intending competitors are reminded that entries for the forthcoming Volunteer Sports close of Thursday. A special meeting of the Otago Licensed Victuallers Association will beheld in the Eire Brigade rooms, this evening, ac 7.30. A meeting of Masons will be held in the Masonic Hall to-morrow afternoon, at five o’clock, with reference to holding a ball on St. Andrew’s Day. A meeting of the Standard Property Investment Society will be held at the Society’s office, Princes street, to morrow (Wednesday) evening, at 6 o’clock. Captain Baldwin will deliver a lecture on Life Assurance to-morrow evening, in the Drill Shed, Gaversham. The chair will be taken by Mr Robert Stout, M.P.C., at eight o’clock. A meeting of those interested in the road from Hill Side to the Ocean Beach will be held at the Imperial Hotel, to-morrow evening, at 8 o’clock, to consider what steps shall be taken to put the road into proper repair. On Thursday week, a performance will be given at the Theatre in aid of the funds of the Rowing Club, when “ Richelieu,” with Mr Hoskins as tho Cardinal, assisted by several wffl known amateurs, wil be played, independent of the object which is a very praiseworthy one, of having the Province represented at the forthcoming regatta, the performance ought to draw a crowded bouse.