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Evening Star, Issue 3303, 20 September 1873, Page 2

There was a clean charge-sheet at the City Police Court this morning. In a case heard before the Resident Magistrate at Greymouth, a person having been charged with exposing for sale an indecent picture, representing an important event in the history of Coventry, a sergeant of police, in giving evidence, said that Lady Godiva was a Grecian goddess !

In the last number of the New Zealand Gazette appear the following notifications Sew Hoy, of Dunedin, merchant, and Fred, William Hoffman, of Dunedin, have been naturalised; the resignation by W. Murray of his captaincy of the West Taieri Volunteers is accepted ; and Mr James T, Hart, of the Customs, Dunedin, has been promoted from the fourth class to the third class, and appointed first clerk and cashier at Christchurch, the promotion to take effect from the first instant.

The contractors, Messrs J. Stumbles and Co., are making good progress in the reclamation of Mussel Bay. Iney have at present about twenty men employed, and will employ a great many more next week. This morning they had down a drill twenty-one feet deep, with twenty-five pounds of powder. They estimate the result of the blast was a fall of debris weighing over one thousand tons. They intend next week to put in a drill over forty feet. If they are as successful with each drill as they have been with the first, they will make short work of reclaiming Mussel Bay. An accident, though fortunately unattended with serious consequence, occurred at the Railway Pier at 8.30 last evening. A passenger by the Samson was going on board the Omoo, having previously been on land during th i) day. After discharging the cargo of that vessel, the crew had shifted the gangway to a more suitable place, and the gentleman, without taking nny notice, stepped overboard where the gangway had previously been. He was immediately rescued by the crew, none the worse, save a good dupking, and went on board the Salomon, which (sailed soon afterwards for Oamaru. A strange piece of news comes to us from America. It is no less than that Madame Anna Bishop, whom one would have thought had had quite enough of operatic stages and platform and travel, has commenced a “farewell ” tour, which comprises the United States, British Columbia, and then the Australian Colonies, should her health sustain her. A correspondent of the Australasian writes It is said that necessity compels this step, otherwise it is a very I

ill-ad vised one, as she will only be trading on her previa&s reputation, her erstwhile magnificent vocal powers having within the last few months become painfully deteriorated.”

In the debate on the Savings Banks Bill in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, the Treasurer amused the House with some proof that simple-minded persons bad put an interpretation upon the strong language of Press critics which could not have been intended by the writers. Some of them realty believed that the object he had in view was to apply the money of the depositors to his own use. The phrases “ robbery,” “act of spoilation,” “wholesale confiscation ** ha<l been taken in a literal aetise. A person who signed himself “One of the Poor ” had forwarded him letters which he had cut out of newspapers and underlined. He accompanied them with the assurance—- “ Such as you, sir. should fare the same as Morgan or Ben Hall; in fact, you are a monster when compared to them. . . The Press, and such as you, shall get such a caution that will be remembered for all time to come, which may occur when and where least expected. The bullet lies before me as I write that shall reach your tyrant heart. ” These words created much laughter. The ninth anniversary of Court Pride of the Leith, A.0.F., was celebrated by a soiree, concert, and ball, held in the Water of Leith Drill Shed, last evening. The attendance was good. At the concert, the principal singers were Mrs Murray, Miso Webb, and Mr Warren ; while no inconsiderable part was filled by Mr Clapcott, whose readings were well received Miss Webb’s “Bide a wee” was the gem of the concert, and was deservedly applauded. Mr Moss acted as accompanyist, and Mr Kroon catered. In the course of the evening the Secretary of the Lodge read a statement of its affairs, from which we gathered that it now numbers fifty-six members, being an increase of fourteen since its last anniversary gathering. The total receipts during the past year amount to Ll9B 7s lOd, and the disbursements for Oourt doctor, medicine, sick pay, &c.,to L 75 lls 2d, as also one funeral donation of L2O. The value of the Court at present is represented by the following :—Cash, LlO9 6s Id ; and property, Lls 7s Bd, making a total of L 124 13s 9d. This state of affairs is very gratifying to the old members, as it is only a few years since the Court was so depressed in money matters that its value in money might be said to be less than nothing. These members by their perseverance and energy have in a great degree conduced to the present prosperity of the Court, and for this deserve the best thanks. It has been acknowledged on more than one occasion that the penalty inflicted for keeping an unregistered dog is too severe. At the Police Court yesterday, a man named Cairncross was charged with an offence of this nature. He stated that the dog was given as a present to one of his children, and that if permitted he would either register or do away with it. His Worship, who appeared to sympathise with the defendant, said he had stated on a previous occasion that he was sorry that the lowest alternative was 40s and costa, and that as far as it went he, personalty, would have reduced the fine if he could. The other occasion referred to by his Worship was a case heard against a butcher last week. The circumstances, as stated by the defendant, were that the dog came to his place, he was spoken to about it by Constable Bain, that he turned it away as he had promised the constable, and that it came back, for which he was summoned; and that in fact it was impossible to keep dogs away from a butcher’s shop. His Worship pointed out that the Orinance read, “ Anyone who should keep a dog,” irrespective of the ownership, was liable, and that therefore, if it was proved that the dog was given food or had been found on the premises, the party sued was liable. On both occasions the lowest fine, 40s, was inflicted. Purely a modification of the Ordinance, by which some discretionary power might he left in the hands of magistrates, might be contrived.

Mr Steele’s benefit at the Queen’s Theatre last evening was largely attended. The drama of “ Narcisse,” in three acts, was the drst piece, and, as we have previously remarked, Mr Steele’s Narcisse is decidedly one of his best efforts. He played with spirit and animation, and his representation of the character was an unqualified success. Mi;s Colville, as the impulsive, warm-hearted actress, Doris Quinault, had a part eminently suited to her, and she played with grace and feeling. But the hit of the evening was Miss Anstead’s impersonation of the Pompadour. This lady achieved a signal triumph in this character, and her general acting throughout the piece called forth enthusiastic applause. Miss Raymond, as the Marquise d’Epinay, appeared to advantage. The part of the Duke de Choiseul, which was represented by Mr Hoskins on a former occasion, was well filled by Mr Douglas, but we would prefer seeing the former gentleman in this character. Mr Booth, as the Compte de Barri, played with his usual ability. The same remarks apply to Messrs Hydes and Musgrave, who appeared as the Baron de Hoi back and Bide* rot respectively. At the end of the second act, and at the termination of the piece, the principal performers were honored with a call before the curtain. The comedy of o The Irish Attorney” conclu led the performance, Mr Steele sustaining the principal character, Pierce O’Hara; and it was positively refreshing to witness his acting, as showing tfie difference between a proper representation of ap Irish character and the absurd spegijnena of copyenfional stage Irishmen which one is pained to contpmplatp. Mr Steele was ably assisted by Messrs Musgrave, Booth, and Newton. To-night, the programme consists of “A Fast Train” and “ The Green Bushes.”

A special meeting of tlie Dunedin Canary and Poultry Association will be held in the Athenaeum Hall on Tuesday evening, at 8 o’clock.

The first concert by the newly formed band of the Dunedin Artillery will be held on Monday evening in the Head-quarters Drill-shed. An excellent programme will be presented, and after the concert a dance will take place.