The Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3171, 19 April 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1873

A meeting of the Directors of the Caledonian Society was held last evening m Wain’s Hotel, the President, Mr Keith Ramsay in the chair. After the despatch of the ordinary business, it was resolved to present a complimentary I’eneht to Miss Urie, the Scottish vocalist, and that the Directors meet on Tuesday first, at eight o’clock p.m., to make the necessary arrangements. At a meeting of the sli&reholders of the Friendly Society, held at the Company s Hall, Princes street, last evening, it was proposed by Mr George Duncan ; “ That toe capital of the Company be increased to the sum of 1.4.500, by the issue of 700 new shares at L2 per share, with 2s per share premium added, payable as follows—viz., os per shave on application, and the balance on allotment,’' which was carried. The usual weekly meeting of the Roslyn and Kaikorai Lite’ary Institute was held in the Hall on Tuesday evening, Mr J. Gillies, V.P., in the chair; the attendance was good, A* very able and instructive paper on “The Nervous System” was read by Mr Robert Chisholm. All the members present expressed themselves in terms highly complimentary to the essayist. It was intimated that Mr Spiers would read the next essay —subject : “Coal.” Decidedly the best performance of the season at the Queen’s Theatre was that of last evening, when Tom Taylors drama of “Plot and Passion” was produced. Miss Stephenson, as the heroine. Madame de Fontagnes, invested the character with an amount of dramatic power and expression that completely surprised us. Her passionate appeal to Fouchd on behalf of her lover was finished acting; and when she found entreaties were of no avail, and that louche turned a deaf ear to them, her defiance of him was a splendid effort in declamation. Miss Stephenson was well supported by Mr Burford, who took the part of Fouehc, the Minister of Police. Of Mr South’s Desmarest, it is impossible to speak too high'y. His portrayal of the tool of l ouche showed that he had carefully studied the character, and he deservedly received the unanimous applause of the audience. The part of Henri deNeuville was entrusted to Mr Avoling, and by the manner in which he discharged bis task, there can he no doubt but that he will establish himself as a favorite in Dunedin. Mr O’Brien was amusing as the Marquis de Cevannes. The piece went very smoothly, and at its conclusion the principal performers were honored with a call before the curtain. “A Kiss in the Dark” followed, in which Mr Hydes played with his accustomed ability. For this evening “ Arrah na Pogue” and “My Precious Betsy” are announced. Such a bill ought to draw a crowded house.

In accordance with advertisement, a number of gentlemen favorable to the formation of a branch lodge, in connection with the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Victoria, met in the lower hall of the Athenaeum last evening; Mr Chas Johnson being voted to the chair. Brother Walker, Peputy Grand Master of the Society in Victoria, said he had been instructed by his brethren in that place to visit New Zealand, explain their views, and receive the names of persons desirous to avail themselves of the privilege connected with the society. Its objects were to provide surgical and medicinal aid to members, their wives, and families ; to provide a sick and funeral fund, as had been established mother Friendly Societies, and to supply the necessary dispensations, regalia, Ac. The register provided that each member should contribute Is a week; and out of that sum 2s & quarter went to the funeral fund, and 8s a month to the sick fund. Out of the former eutu LlO was given to a member on the death of his wife, and 120 to the family on his death. The advantages derived were precisely similar to those of the Oddfellows ; but no others than Protestants were allowed to become members. Any member contributing an additional -20s per annum entitled him and his wife and family to the free use of a doctor. Since its formation in Victoria, some two years ago, wonderful progress had been made. For instances. taking Ballarat, which at that time had only ten members, on the returns being taken at Christmas last, showed over 1,500. He might say there was nqt any society of the kind that had made so much advancement as this one. After intimating that several persons here had signed their names, he concluded by hoping that the same interest would be shown here, as had been manifested in the Australian Colonies ; and that ere long every Province in the Colony would be able to boast of having a society of its own. [Twenty persons then came forward and signed the papers, authorising Mr Walker to receive members.] It was proposed by Mr iG. de L. Graham, and seconded by Mr Wm. Sly, “That it is desirable to form a society in Dunedin similar to the one proposed,” which was unanimously carried. The customary vote of thanks to the chairman and lecturer terminated the proceedings. The ball to the Volunteer representatives at the Colonial firing took place in the Headquarters Drill-shed, and though the attendance was not as large as we had hoped to see it, it went off with thorough success. Those who were present must have heartily enjoyed themselves, as the company was exceedingly pleasant, and the music above the usual standard. The names of Messrs Fleury, Keichardt, aud Martin, who occupied the orchestra, are guarantees that nothing was wanting on that score. The room was very tastefully decorated with flags, a feature being the motto “Welcome” worked in flowers over the orchestra. Shortly before midnight the representatives present were drawn up in line, and addressed by Lieut, - Colonel Cargill, who said there was perhaps some disappointment felt because the Belt had not come Otago, and he had heard various reasons given for it. He heard something about the sun being strong, and there being a strong mirage at N elsoa ; and. ke had heard another reason, viz., that there was a great number of ladies in Nelson who took extreme interest in the representatives (applause). However that might be, the Otago volunteers were satisfied with what the representatives had done. They were well up in some of the principal matches; and in what ho called the great match of the series—that of North v. South—the Otago and Southland men had been able almost single-handed to bear the brunt on behalf ef the Middle Island, and had again secured the Cap, which he thought was a very great credit He was sure he was expressing the feelings of the Volunteers aud public generally, when he said that the representatives deserved well of Otago : and that they had done as much as could be expected of them. Captain Wales having been called on, thanked those present, on his own and fellow-representatives parts, for theeordial reception theyhad met with. They had certainly sustained a great defeat ; and scarcely expected to have" been received in the manner they had been. Some of the men did feel a little sore at there being none to meet them on their return As to what Lieut.-Colonel Cargill had said about the Nelson ladies, some of the younger representatives might know something of it; all ho could say was that he had enjoyed himself very much. The Nelson people, both men and women, had been extremely kind, and gave the men a nice treat on coming away. The hot climate

had not suited the Otago men, who would have done better had the shooting been later in the season. He again thanked those present for the reception the representativehad experienced. Dancing was then resumed, and kept up unflaggingly by the fifty or sixty couples who were present. Mr Murray catered.

We are requested to say that in the statement in the Star of the proceedings of the Protestant Alliance, instead o r (*an additional 20s per annum entitling a man, his wife, and family to the services of a doctor, it should have been “a gentleman becomes an honorary member by payment of 10s, and is entitled to medical attendance by payment of an additional 205.”