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Evening Star, Issue 3226, 23 June 1873, Page 2

At the present moment, there are said to be three actions for libel pending at Wanganui, and probably two more to come. The Independent, of Saturday last, says : —“ A bullock was killed in Wellington last week by Mr Dersford, which weighed over 1,7001b5. The fat covering the ribs was in some places nearly a foot thick. The animal was bred at the Taita, by the native chief Isaiah.” As illustrating the positions which servant girls are able to take in Auckland, the Star mentions that a gentleman who applied the other day for a “help” was informed that, “ it was too far to the top of Symonds street for an engagement: would Mrs —— mind coming to meet her?” The Lottie Troupe are performing with great success in kelson. While on their way from Wanganui to Wellington in the Napier, Mr Small lost his journal overboard. This book contained many exceedingly interesting details of Mr Small’s travels all over the habitable world, and to him the loss will be a matter of never ending regret. The women in England are beginning to show how much they value the new opportunities offered them of higher education. One student of Girton College (the college which has hitherto had its habitation at Hitchin), Miss Woodhead, has passed the same mathematical examination at Cambridge as the graduates in honors, and has reached the level of Senior Optime. Two students of the same college (Miss Cook and Miss Lumsden) have passed the examination far the classical tripos in a manner satisfactory to the examiners; and Miss Cook's answers in Aristotle were said to be among the best sent in. At a public meeting, held at Wellington, called by the Mayor, to make arrangements for giving Sir James Pergusson a suitable reception on his arrival, the civic functionary remarked as followsHe had only another observation to make—and he wished to do so in the moat delicate manner—he hoped the Press, in the exercise of its useful functions and privileges, would en-

dearor, in referring to Sir James Fergosson, t0 Be to his faults a little blind, And to Ms virtues ever kind.” As a rale, the first officer of a municipal body ia not noted for sagacity, and his Worship of Wellington appears not to ba an exception to that rule, A private letter recently received ia Christchurch gives the following information respecting the movements of several members of the theatrical profession well-known in Christchurch, wMch may be interesting. Mr B. I'. Jones is now stage manager at the Victoria Theatre, Sydney, where Mrs Steele is playing a very successful engagement. Miss Dolly Green is at present playing a short engagement with Mr Carden at Bathurst. Miss R®ae Evans is seriously “1 at Adelaide, where she has been playing. Mr Morton Tavares had been playing at the Theatre at Brisbane, but his lease had expired and he is now playing at the School of Arts there. Mr and Mrs J. L. Ball, with Miss Jenny Nye, after a successful season in Calcutta had gone to China for a season, and Mr and Mrs R. W. Lawrence were still in the City of Palaces, at last advices. The company at the Queen s Theatre ought to know that very old proverb about a divided bouse, &c. ; at all events, they appear to be trying to test its truth. We have felt compelled on two or three occasions of late to comment upon the want of organisation that exists among the corps

dramatiqm; judging by Saturday night’s oerformaace, our remarks have- only proluced the opposite effect to that which Wa* upended, and utter disorganisation now reigns. “ Richard the Third” was only the drama in name, many of the characters being filled by persons who were wholly incapable f doing them justice. With Mr Fairclougb, who manfully endeavored to puil the piece through, we heartily sympathised, as did the audience, for while they were not slow to mark the disapproval of the acting of some of the performers, they frequently and loudly applauded Mr Fairclough’s effects f 'o-night, Miss Legrand takes a benefit, when “The Taming of the Shrew” and “ The Iron Chest” will be played. The usually quiet and peaceful neighborhood of Upper Rattray street and York place was the scene of the most disgraceful performances last (Sunday) night. In some of the upper rooms of the old Robin Hood Hotel, several women and men could be seen through the uncovered windows engaged in a general “scrimmage.” The yells of the women, and the blasphemous and filthy language of the men were distinctly heard' from the street and far round the neighborhood, and would scarcely have been tolerated even in the worst purlieus of Walker street. The disturbance alternately took the aspect of a “lark ” and a quarrel, but it was very evident to passers-by that alcohol played a most important part in it. A policeman at one time made his appearance upon the scene of action, and lulled the storm for a time, only, however, to break out again with redoubled violence. Much to the annoyance of residents around, the fracas was kept up till the small hours of the night. Wo would direct the attention of the police force to the locality in question. The Independent remarks:—“ The great battle of Provincial po'iticsinOtagois nearly fought out, and results show that the Reidites have played into the hands of the Superintendent by giving him an opportunity which he was far too astute to let slip. They chose—while the Province was in an exceptionally prosperous state, and when consequently those in power were almost certain to be popular—to maintain a factious opposition to the Superintendent; and he, believing that the constituencies were with him, has taken advantage of the tide in his affairs, which he wisely foresaw would lead on t® fortune. There is now no room to doubt that Mr Macandrew is again re-elected as Superintendent, and, what is of more importance, he will have a Council of which a large majority are pledged to support him. Otago has done wisely in thus honoring one whose

foresight and boldness have so largely conduced to its prosperity. It is men of such progressive minds who are wanted in Colonial affairs, men who can realise the difference between the circumstances of new and old countries, and with prudent foresight adapt their measures to the requirements of vigorous young communities. At a meeting of the railway committee held at Hokitika the other day, the County Chairman gave an account of the visit of himself and the Hon. J. A. Bonar to Wellington. Mr Vogel had stated that Westland had disowned the necessity for making railways, and had received its share of'the Middle Island Railway Fund for the construction of roads. Westland had received a special sum of L 50.000, which was also available for roads. The Minister for Public Works had advanced a statement to the effect that if the line of railway was made by way of Browning’s Pass, the gradients on the Westland side would be very steep, and advised that full particulars with regard to the proposed tunnel should be obtained. Eventually he expressed his willingness to support a vote for the survey of the line. In Canterbury and Nelson there appeared to be a certain amount of reticence on the subject of the proposed railway. The Superintendent of Canterbury had stated that he would support a proposition to survey the line. Mr Bonar supplemented Mr Robinson’s remarks with further particulars of their interview with members of the Government in Wellington, and a discussion ensued upon matters connected with ihe business of the committte. drama of “It is never too late to mend ” was produced at the Princess Theatre ou Saturday evening to a numerous and appreciative audience. The piece abounds in striking situations, and its pre cepts are highly moral. Mrs Hill and Mrs M‘Gowan. in the respective parts of Susan Merton and London Nan, played effectively; while Miss Marion Willis, as the boy Joseph, enacted the character so well as to make one regret she was obliged, owing to the exigencies of the piece, to die so young. Mr llayner, as Tom Robinson, played magnificently; and Mr Douglas’s George Fielding ,was a very successful effort. Mr Collier shines in such a character as that of Peter Crawley, and his performance on Saturday elicited frequent marks of approbation. Mr Musgrave, as Isaac Levi, was in his element; but the same remarks do not apply to Mr Macgowan’s Parson—he was decidedly out of it. As the Australian native, however, Mr Maegowan contributed to the amusement of the audience, although we must confess we have never seen an aboriginal like the one he depicted. The minor characters in the drama found suitable representatives, with the exception of the individual who impersonated Hawes, who was decidedly overweighted. To-night, “The Ship on Fire ” will be played, in addition to which Miss Fanny Sara and Mr Fred. Clifton will make their first appearance in a musical olio.

We have been requested to call attention to the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society’s advertisement in another column, where it will be seen that four special readings will be given by Miss Aitkon under the auspices of the above society. Miss Aitken will bo assisted by Mr M. Winter.