The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3164, 10 April 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1873.

There will be no publication of the Evening Star to-morrow.

Volunteers will be interested to learn that a small-bore match is on the tapis between Mr J W. Walker, the Thames /‘cock shootist,” and Mr Cohn, of Chrischurch. The match, if arranged, will be bred in Auckland.

This is what Anthony Trollope says of Nelson “ The eye of man never rested on a prettier little town than Nelson. Embedded between green hills, it has the sweetest flowers, and fruit, and air m the world. But it is a sleepy place, and fortunes can hardly be made there with true Colonial rapidity.”

There is only one civil case set down for trial this session, and it will be taken on Wednesday. It is one in which damages are claimed for breach of promise of marriage; and, what is unusual in these cases, the defendant is a woman. Humor says that the action arises from a failure on the lady s part to appreciate the truth of the proverb, “ Be sure and be off with the old love before you begin with the new.” The damages are laid at LSOO.

During a recent sheep-stealing case at Wellington, the counsel for the prisoner argued that his client must be innocent because he appeared to be a fool, and sheepstealers were generally very clever. His Honor took exception to the argument, which he said meant that rogues were clever and honest men fools. In spite of the supposed division of the race into knaves and fools, his experience led him to believe that the greatest knaves were the biggest fools.

The trial of Regina v. Ryan has had an unsatisfactory termination, which was not unexpected. The jury were discharged .at a quarter to ten o’clock this morning, having been locked up since five o’clock yesterday. From the first they were divided in opinion, and no efforts could induce either side to give way to the other. It is generally stated, and we believe with truth, that eight, who ranged themselves under the leadership of a well-known citizen, favored a verdict of guilty; while the remaining four, headed by the foreman, were for an acquittal. The new trial has been fixed for the 21st inst. In the Central Glamorgan Gazette of the 31st January, is a lengthy account of the reception accorded to Mr James Brogden and his son on their return to the coal and iron works at Tondu. The people of Aberkentig appear to have been quite enthusiastic about mV Brogdcn’s return from New Zealand. “The street from one end of the village to the other” was adorned with evergreens, bunting, fee.* with divers devices, all breathing a spirit of welcome. He arrived there during the continuance of the strike amongst the miners. As his carriage reached the gates of the works, the party was met by a number of workmen, and the band struck up, •“ See the Conquering Hero comes. ” An address of welcome was presented to him by the workmen, and he delivered a speech in reply, but no reference was made to his short residence in New Zealand, durjnghis remarks. The utmost cordiality seemed to exist between Mr Brogden and those in his employ, and heat once set to work to obtain some understanding between the firm and those on strike. He mentioned that no fewer than bO,OUO men were out of employment in the district, aud that a weekly loss of L 500,000 was entailed upon masters and men. Such are the results that strikes give rise to. According to the Melbourne Argus, the progress of business at the Intercolonial Conference was not wanting in a few piquant personal elements to add variety to the proceedings. One of these arose about the question of fixing the terminus of the Suez line at Melbourne. Mr Vogel, who it seems was annoyed by the Sydney Government appearing adverse to bis offer relative to the New New Zealand and San Francisco line, tabled a paper showing the reasons why the New Zealand representatives decided to support Melbourne being the terminus of the lino. In reply to an argument that Mr Parkes and his colleague had employed, that the mails could not be carried safely overland on account of the bushrangers, the New Zealand representatives declared that they could not sympathise with it, and added that, “coming from a Colony that has made vast sacrifices to maintain law and order amongst the native population, they cannot but regret that it should he thought necessary to urge that a wealthy Colony like New South Wales is unable to preserve law and order amongst an exclusively European population.” This clause very much roused the ire of Mr Parkes, who was also nettled by an implication conveyed in the paper that the Parliament of New South Wales would not agree with all the views advanced by the delegates of that Colony. In addressing the Christchurch Grand Jury, on the opening of the Canterbury criminal sessions, Mr Justice Gresson said : The most remarkable feature in the calendar is the number of cases of forgery—there being no less than eight cases of forgery and uttering. I regret very much that, notwithstanding the observations 1 have so fiequently made from this place upon previous occasions as to the facility with which the storekeepers, publicans, aud others, change cheques for strangers—a facility which has the result of swelling the calendar with cases of this description, it appears to have had no effVct in checking the practice. If they would recollect the amount of expense to which they put the country they would not continue it; but so it is, that it is still continued notwithstanding the many years I have called attention to the fact. True, it may be said that storekeepers and publicans in the country, and at a distance from town, are in a manner pressed to cash cheques, and this may be urged as an excuse ; it may be 10 ; but there can be no excuse for persons 'iriug in town cashing cheques for strangers with such facility, as is now the case. It hj no answer to say, the bank is closed. 7 hat is rather a suspicious circumstance, if presented by a stranger after banking hours ;

and surely no Injustice can be done, nor can any one complain if when, as a stranger, they present a cheque, they are told that they must wait until inquiries are made at the bank. The amount of expense caused to the country every year is incalculable. Even in the present calendar, there is a case from Timaru, the expenses of which, for witnesses, &c., will be very great to the country.

A dramatised version of “ Lady Audloy’s Secret ” was produced at the Queen’s Theatre last evening. The novel on which the piece is founded has been so widely read, that it is unnecessary to describe the plot in detail. As Lady Audlcy, Miss Stephenson evinced the possession of great dramatic power and expression, especially in the second act, where she defied Robert Audley to do his worst, and warned him of the risk he ran in endeavoring to bring the supposed murder of George Talboys home to her. Miss Raymond as Alicia, and Miss Alice Bray as Phcebe Marks, filled their respective parts creditably. Mr Burford’s Robert Audley was extremely good ; and Mr O’Brien, as the ne'er-do-well Luke Marks, was a very natural representation. Mr South’s conception of the character of Sir Michael Audley did not please us ; it savored too much of the burlesque “ old man. ” What little Mr Aveliug had to do in the part of George Talhoys was done well. Miss Stephenson was called before the curtain at the termination of the first piece. The seriocomedy of “Milky White” concluded the performance, in which Miss Stephenson and Mr Burford, as Annie White and Milky White, sustained the principal characters admirably. Mr Hydes revelled in the character of Dicky Duggs, and contributed his share to the comic element. We had almost omitted to mention that Miss Stephenson sang a song incidental to “Milky White ” in a very pleasing manner, which was enthusiastically re-demanded. This lady has a very nice contralto voice, and we trust we shall have an opportunity of hearing her on many future occasions. The same programme will be repeated this evening.

Some very important business was transacted at the meeting of the City Council last evening. When the report of the Public Works Committee was read, a lengthened debate ensued as to the advisability of executing certain works suggested therein, and also of first borrowing LIO,OOO for the purpose of completing certain works in different parts of the town. The latter question was referred to the Finance Committee with a request that they should prepare a scheme to be submitted at next meeting of Council. 'The larger items in the report, amounting to about L4OO were struck out, and the report was adopted. A letter from the Provincial Secretary was read, showing that the question of the Princes street reserve had been settled, and that an Ordinance would be introduced to the Provincial Council next session for the purpose of vesting the management of the reserve in the Corporation. The Provincial Government intimated their intention of placing on next estimates a sum of money equal to half the salary of a >< evenue Officer, and suggested that the Corporation should provide the remaining half. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. On the motion of Mr Woodland, it was resolved to widen the footpaths in the Octagon to the ordinary width. The condition of the Htuart street and City weighbridges was considered, and it was shown by Mr Mercer that in one instance the City bridge registered a quantity of coal—4o cwt—while the other bridge only registered the same quantity—32 cwt. Mr Ramsay said he knew of two cases where a disparity was shown by both bridges. After further discussion, the matter was referred to the Public Works Committee. The estimates for the ensuing year were then considered. The total estimate of revenue was set down at L 17,050 ; but against this sum there was a permanent charge of about L 12,009, thus leaving about L 5.000 for public works, &c. It was suggested by the Mayor that the rate for the current year be reduced 3d in the pound. His reason for making the suggestion was, that the income of the Corporation from rentals had increased, and would continue to increase rapidly. The increase last year was equal to about eight per cent, of the total income. After discussion, Mr Ramsay remarked that the question was an important one, and as it was proposed to borrow largely again, he would move that the further consideration of the matter be adjourned until Tuesday evening next, and that meanwhile a copy of the statement of the estimates be placed in the hands of each of the councillors. The motion was agreed to. Owing to want of space we are obliged to hold over our full report of the meeting.

From an announcement in our advertising columns it will be seen that the allotment of shares in the Shotover Terrace Gold Mining Company is complete, and that the company intend to commence operations at once.

A grand complimentary concert will be given Mr Chas. Sykes, by the members of the St. Joseph’s Church thoir, on Easter Monday (next), in the bead-quarters’ drillshed, when Mr Sykes will play some of his favorite solos, including Beethoven s grand Sonata. We trust to see a bumper house.

We understand that a match is to come off at four o’clock op Saturday, on the Caledonian Grounds, between Edwards, the champion walker, and an amateur runner named Barber. The terms of the match are that Edwards is to walk seventy yards while Barber runs 100 yards.

Ample provision is made by the Harbour Company for the accommodation of holidayseekers on Friday. The Samson is laid on for Oamaru, to sail on Friday morning apd return on Saturday ; while toe Golden Age, accompanied by the Provincial Brass Band, will do the round of the harbor to Port Chalmers and back. The Peninsula is also advertised to take excursionists to thcseveial jetties in the harbor, and the Quarantine Island, and Port Chalmers, returning in the evening.