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Evening Star, Issue 3261, 2 August 1873, Page 2

At a meeting of the Jockey Club, last evening, it was agreed by a majority of one— Messrs Keany, Dodson, Dowse, Scott, and Captain Hutchison voting for, and Messrs Gourlay, Taggart, Smith, and Marshall against—to remove the disqualification from Robert Reay, the rider of Tambourini at the Tuapeka races.

“Caste” was reproduced at the Queen’s last night, and played to an average house, the piece going smoothly throughout. We would remind playgoers that Mr Collier takes a benefit this evening, when a new piece, “The Willow Pond,” will be played. There will also be a musical mdlange, in which Miss Sara and Mr Clifton will appear, and a farce. The following is the actual resolution adopted at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday: (I.) “That in the opinion of this Chamber the proposed system of ad valorem duties is preferableto and more equitable than the measurement duties hitherto in operation in this Colony. (2.) That a Committee be appointed, consisting of Messrs Oliver, Neill, Graham, Sise, and Low, to ascertain whether the rates proposed by the Colonial Treasurer will increase the amount received beyond what was levied under the measurement system ; and should such be found to be the case, that our representatives iu the Assembly be asked to endeavor to get the proposed rates proportionately reduced.”

The Post Office officials are constantly besieged with complaints by persons in the Province of not having received foreign newspapers, advice of the posting of which had been communicated to them by their re latives and friends at home; but it will be observed by the following memo, which has been forwarded to us that it is just possible the missing papers have been consigned to the immense waste room at St Martin’s-le-Grand for deficient postage “ As a large number of newspapers addressed to places abroad prepaid only with a single rate of postage, although exceeding four ounces in weight, continue to be posted in all parts of the United Kingdom, it is necessary again to remind publishers, newsvendors, and the public generally, that every newspaper intended for transmission through the post to any foreign country or British Colony is liable to a separate rate of postage for every four ounces or fraction of four ounces, and that if this postage be not fully prepaid the newspaper cannot be forwarded.” Major Atkinson made the customary inspection of the Port Chalmers .Naval Company last evening. The Cadets, to the number of twenty-four, fell in at 7.15, and were drilled by Lieut. Taylor. They have made very considerable progress during the time they have been organised. The company fell in at eight o’clock, under the command of Capt. Goldie, besides whom there were present two subalterns, four petty officers, and twenty-eight men. After the usual inspection of arms, the men were marched outside for company drill, in which they were exercised till ten o’clock, and though a little rusty at first, were very steady during the latter part of the drill. Last year was devoted to musketry exercise ; this season it is intended to devote as much as possible to outside drill—company and skirmishing '1 he company’s arms were found to be in goo i order. After drill a committee was appointed to select a uniform for the company,

We believe it is intended to adopt partially, if not wholly, the uniform of the Thames Naval Company. In the Tablet of to-day. two trifling matters rail for attention. The first is that the Daily Times is credited with an extract from a leader published in the Evening Star of last Monday, and the second we appear to have written a sentence so ambiguously in criticisin'.; the < horal Society’s concert, that the Tablet has contrived to take the wrong view of it. In noticing Mr West’s position in the orchestra, we said “we were glad to see and hear that he did good service by devoting himself to an instrument, very necessary in an orchestra, but not generally chosen by amateur musicians—the double bass.” The editor of the Tablet construes this into an implication that Mr West is “ an amateur,” but our intention was merely to show that because the double bass was not usually chosen by amateur musicians, Mr West bad turned bis attention to it.

As we anticipated, the readings at the Athen<eum last evening were, thanks to a fair night, as well attended as even Mr Clapcott could possibly wish, the room being quite full; whilst some, seeing the state of things, had to put off their visits for another time. Mr Clapcott read with great care, having gone through a capital programme to the evident satisfaction of all those present, who gave the reader the greatest attention, and evinced by their silence during the pathetic, aud their laughter during the comic selections, that Mr Clapcott’s efforts to please had been crowned with success. At the close of the evening, Mr Clapcott announced that he would open a class for elocution every ‘Thursday evening, at eight o’clock, and that Mr Black, the librarian at the Athenaeum, would give all the requisite information on the subject.

Yesterday being the eleventh anniversary of the Lodge Com t Pride of Dunedin, A. 0. F., the occasion was celebrated by a concert and soiree at the Headquarters Drill-shed, at which nearly 500 persons assembled. After a substantial tea, supplied by Mr Kroon, had been got through, the musical portion of the entertainment commenced. Miss Hosford sang very sweetly in the duet “ Peace to thy spirit” and in “should he upbraid,” though in the latter a little more expression would not have been thrown away ; Mrs Murray’s clear voice exactly suited the Scotch songs which she gave, and which were received with much favor, while the comic element was amply provided by Messrs Graham and Warren. During the evening Sec. J. Wilson, as D.C. R., read a statement of the affairs of the lodge, by which it appeared that the number of members had increased by ten during the past year, there being now 191 ; that the sum of L3Bl had been added to the reserve fund, making its amount L 1,841 13s 6d, or equal to L 9 lls tid per member, and that there had been very few cases of sickness. The reports of the higher Courts showed that the Order consisted of 254 districts, 4,080 courts, 421,988 financial and 8,770 honorary members ; the reserve fund amounting to L 1,695,984, being a large increase in every item. After the concert, dancing was commenced and kept up till an early hour. The only drawback to the evening’s enjoyment was the license accorded to a mob of boys to play at leap-frog and other interesting but noisy games, which were scarcely conducive to a proper appreciation on the part of tlie audience of the efforts of those ladies and gentlemen who gave their assistance to the concert.

At tho Queeu’s Theatre, last evening, the members of the Dunedin Amateur Dramatic Society, assisted by the principal lady members of th-; theatrical company, gave an entertainment in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Institution. Considering the object for which the performance was given, the attendance was not nearly as large as it ought to have been. The first piece was the comedy of “ Still Waters Rim Deep,” with Miss Colville as Mrs Sternhold and Miss Kaymond as Mrs Mildmay. Notwithstanding the obvious drawbacks to which professionals are subjected in playing with amateurs, Miss Colville distinguished herself in the part allotted to her, and Miss Ravmond rendered valuable assistance in making the piece a success. In reference to the characters sustained by the amateurs, we were pleased to observe a marked improvement in the general style and manner of the gentleman who appeared as Mr Mildmay. We feel the more gratified in making these remarks, as we were compelled on the last occasion he appeared in a dramatic entertertainment, to comment in rather severe terms on his performance. It was evident to those present last evening that the ovation which greeted the representative of Mr Mildmay at the termination of the first act was of a sarcastic nature ; but the excellence of his acting as the piece progressed had the effect of turning the ironical applause into a genuine acknowledgment of the success of his efforts. Very few professional actors could have sustained the difficult character of Captain Hawksly so creditably as the gentleman who essayed it last evening. He was free from staginess, and was perfectly natural. In the scene whereupon Mrs Sternhold, threatening to expose him as a swindler, he defies hor to do her worst, his cool, nonchalant manner, combined with his easy, devil may-care address, was a splendid piece of acting. There can be no doubt but this gentleman will prqve a decided acquisition to the dramatic society. The “old man” of the comedy, Mr Potter, found a capital representative in a gentleman hitherto unknown to histrionic fame in Dunedin ; and we look forward with interest to see him on some future occasion. The remaining characters were tolerably well played. The comedy was followed by an Irish song, by an amateur ; and in reference to this portion of the programme, we may simply say that the gentleman who attempted it possessed more confidence than ability, i he afterpiece was the farce of “Naval Engagements, in which Miss Ansbead appeared as Miss Mortimer.

We call the attention of intending exhibitors at the forthcoming poultry exhibition to an advertisement respecting entries. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society will be held at the Society’s office, PrinceS street, on Monday evening, from six to eight o’clock.