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Evening Star, Issue 3231, 28 June 1873, Page 2

A telegram in the Melbourne papers says that a station at Lake Albert, Northern Territory, was sold for. L 175,000. There was a little improvement in the attendance at the Masonic Hall last evening, when Miss Aitken and Mr Winter were assisted by several amateurs. There will be a change of programme this evening. The Argus says that “a Maori lady of rank, travelling as Mrs Tai Pari, and daughter of a* chief of that name, was amongst the passengers by the &s. Hero from Auckland.” At Oamaru, on Thursday, James Connelly, .alias James Wilson, was committed for trial for stealing a watch valued at L 7. When the warrant of committment was made out, the prisoner offered to plead guilty if it made any difference, but the magistrate ruled that the offence was beyond his jurisdiction. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Band of Hope was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, George street, last evening, when several songs and recitations were given to a well-attended meeting, and their numbers augmented by thirteen additional members, which show* that the Society is progressing favorably, It was stated by us the other day that there was some probability of the validity of the Oteramika election being disputed, but an inquiry into the facte has shown that the supposed ground of objection does not exist. The Southland Times has also reason to believe that the Mataura election, regarding the formality of which there was some question, has been perfectly regular. The ball and supper held in the Port Chalmers bonded store, last night, to Mr Macandrew, proved, as was expected, to be a great success. There were not quite so many visitors as were anticipated, owing to some misunderstanding about a special train being put on. The company included a number of ladies and gentlemen from Dunedin. Dancing commenced at nine o’clock, and at eleven about seventy sat down to a supper provided in Mr Dodson’s best style; Mr M'Dermid, M.P.C., being in the chair. The usual loyal toasts having been 'proposed, Mr Macandrew’s health was drunk amid enthusiastic cheers. He returned thanks in a few words; after which dancing was resumed, and kept up till six o’clock this morning. “ A Bird in the hand ” was repeated at the Princess last night, and was played even better than on any previous occasion. "Mr Collier took Mr Douglas's place, as the latter suffered from a cold. Miss Sara and Mr Clifton rendered new songs, which were encored; and the entertainment concluded with the amusing farce of “Turn him out.” To-night, “ Macbeth,” with a strong cast, will be played; and to make it with all the completeness possible, Miss Sara will sustain the solo parts in rendering Locke’s music, which will be given in its entirety. It may, therefore, beexpectedthat the drama, both dramatically and musically, will be presented in a manner not often seen here. The North Otago Times hopes, in the interest of the Province, that whether the gentlemen now comprising the Executive remain in power or whether they be displaced, the Government de facto will be able to command a good working majority, so as to prevent the unseemly squabbles which have latterly been only too frequent. To take up the time of the Council in the discussion of abstract questions which might more properly be referred to a debating society, at a time when there are matters of urgent importance to the Province requiring immediate attention, would be the very height of folly. If these matters must be discussed, weu and good; but in all reason nnij common sense those other matters upon whjch the well-being of the Province depends—its roads, railways, and bridges, its goldfields’ management and departmental administration, the fair apportionment of the public revenues, and the just distribution of the public burdens—should have first consideration. If the opposite course is pursued, there will be a session barren of practical results, and fertile only in verbose speeches, full of twaddle and bitterness. The attendance last evening at the Queen’s Theatre was only a just recognition of the abilities of Mr Fairclough, who, in spite of adverse circumstances, has secured for himself the esteem of all lovers of good acting. Shakespeare’s “ Merchant of Venice,” with Mr Fairclough as Shylock, was the first piece, but, according to our conception of the character, he did not give a correct idea of the Jew, who, although intensely avaricious, was content to sacrifice everything, so long as he had revenge on Antonio. Although as far as dress and appearance are concerned, he was au fait, his declamation was too vigorous—in fact, he gave one the impression of representing a much younger man than the character he assumed. On the green curtain falling, in response to an unanimous call from the audience, and according to announcement, Mr Fairclough came forward, and tendered his thanks to the members of the Caledonian Society for tbeir patronage on the occasion of his benefit, and also for the courtesy be had received during his short stay here. The only other character worthy of special notice was Miss Anstead's Portia, which was an admirable impersonation; and we cordially endorse the verdict of the audience, who enthusiastically applauded her efforts. The entertainment concluded with “The Taming of the Shrew.” This evening the two plays will be repeated. It appears that theatrical companies in India have the monotony of life behind the scenes varied by an adventure out of doors, during their professional travels inland. One of the ladies of Mr Lewis’s dramatic company, writing to a relative in Sydney by

the present mail, relates the following exciting incident: —“On our way up to Dacca we had a startling adventure with a tiger. We Were lying at anchor in tlm river (the steamers do hot travel at night, as the Ganges is a dangerous river), and whilst we were all asleeh, a tiger swam over from the shore and climbed upon the rudder. He attacked two, men on the watch, one of whom was bitten fearfully. ” It was .quite dask, and, when onp of; the men ran to the cap thin and told him that a tiger had bitten him, he could not credit - the story, and thought one of 'the pigs had frightened him. However, he sent a man down with a lantern to see what was really the matter, when the tiger sprang upon him and clawed him. The intruder then made his escape; but, just as we were preparing to start, about an hour afterwards, at daylight, out springs Mr Tiger again and knocked over the man at the wheel; He had been skulking behind the captain’s cabin all the time, and was just making a second spring when the captain fired at him and knocked him into the water. He clung to the paddle-wheel, and the captain was obliged to give him another shot, which settled him. We Indies were shut up in our cabins all this time, and only heard what was going on. I could net help laughing io hear all the darkies running and tumbling over each other to get away from the tiger. It reminded me of a scene in the farce of the ‘Happy Man.’ ” The s.s. Taranaki’s arrival from Northern ports is not expected till- Monday afternoon, and her departure in consequence is postponed, according to advertisement, till Wednesday morning; passengers to leave town by 10.30 a, m. train. A meeting of the Sons of Temperance will be held on Monday evening, for the election of officers.,