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Evening Star, Issue 3351, 15 November 1873, Page 2

A very acceptable parcel of books has been presented to the University Library by Captain Hutton, Provincial Geologist, &c. Two portraits, one of Her Majesty the Queen, and the other of the late Prince Consort, presented to the Province, have arrived by the Lady Jocelyn. We have not yet had opportunity of inspecting them. The fining of two persons for drunkenness —James .Simpson in the sum of ss, with the alternative of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment; and Ellen Mason lbs. or in default forty-eight hours’—was the only business transacted at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. Mr 1. N. Watt occupied the Bench. The contractors for the Oamaru harbor works have, during the past week, completed another section of the. sea wall. The wall is now carried out about 220 feet, and the centre portion is raised to the height required for the travelling crane. The centre block of this portion of the wall, built in situ, weighs fully 100 tons. The Wesleyans in Christchurch have adopted the plan of holding a religious service upon the arrival of every new body of immigrants from the Home country. The Rev. J. Buffer attends the barracks upon every fresh arrival, holds a short, hearty thanksgiving service for chose who choose to attend, and then addrestes the strangers in a kindly practical way—exhorts to sobriety, honesty, and frugality, and h-lda up to them for encouragement many of the examples of great success from small beginnings which he has personally known. These services a >- e much appreciated, many being affected to tears, and the peculiar feeling of being strangers iu a strange land almost removed by the words of hearty welcome in which they are addressed, impressions are not easily forgotten, and the Christian Record thinks the plan might be advantageously adopted in Dune Hu. A very enjoyable entertainment was given last evening in the North Dunedin School in aid of the school prizefund Mr Robert Stout, M. P. C., occupied the chair. The programme consisted of songs, duets, glees, readings, and recitations, all of which were rendered in a creditable manner. The songs “ Trifles light as air,” “The death of Nelson,” and “ Horae they brought her warrior dead ” were very well sung, and received welldeserved encores “John Grumlie” took well with the young folks, aud the gentleman who sang it, on being recalled, gave “The bonny wee window,” which was as well received as “ John Grumlie,” At the. close of the programme vote-i of thanks were given to the friends by whom it had been austaind, aud to Mr Stout for his coni net in the chair. There was a good attendance notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, the large school-room being packed as full as it could be, while a number stood in the porch. The proceeds should make a good addition to the prize fund. Our European telegrams to-day announce the death of the Right Hon. Sir William Bovill, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, who was Solicitor-General under Lord Derby’s ad minis‘ration in 1866, and succeeded Chief Justice Earle in November of that year. The Daily Times, in its paragraph" referring to Sir William. Bovill’s death, falls into two errors. I he supposition that the adjournment of the Tichborne trial is owing to Sir William’s death is only reasonable ; but it is not the fact that he was one of the Judges before whom the case was being tried ; nor that the possible death of one of the Judges who are hear.ng it has not been taken into account by the calculators of the probabilities of the trial. Chief Justice Bovill presided over the proceedings by which the “ claimant” s.mghb to establish his claim to the Tichborne estate, and it wa s at their conclusion that he was arrested by the Chief Justice’s warrant for perjury., which is the offence for which he is now being tried at bar. In the present trial the Judges are Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, Justices Mellor and Lush. 'The possible death of one of the Judges has been taken into account, for it was agreed at the outset that in the event of such a contingency arising, the trial should be continued by the two remaining Judges. The Tablet, this week, complains that although Mr Maitland declared the inquiry re the Catholic clergy and the Tokomairiro main school to be strictly private, and directed that no use should be made of the evidence till the Government had given its report on the matter, three persons, who by special permission were allowed to be present at this “sworn pdvate inquiry,” have come forward with their opinions and special notes. After noticing that it is admitted that tho “ Catholic boy Curran was always present at the Protestant Bible reading,” the Tablet remarks:—“lf it should afterwards appear that no intimation was ever given to Curran’s father of this fact ; and if Curran swore that he told the boy not to have anything to do with the Bible reading, and that the boy Curran swore that the father never told him such a thing ; and if Mr Ross told Mr M‘lntyre that he would inquire as to whether Curran was a Catholic, and did not inquire, and swore that he did not consider it his duty to inquire—we think that, though the boy denied that ho was ever beaten, yet there will be clearly established the fact that Catholic children arc tampered with in their faith in the Government schools.” For the rest, the public are asked by the Tablet to suspend their judgment till they have the sworn evidence before them. The entertainment in aid of the Scott Scholarship Fund, which took place at the Princess Theatre last evening, attracted a very large attendance, which must have been peculiarly gratifying to the promoters, as showing the interest the public took in the matter. The performance commenced with the comedy of “ Black Sheep,” with Miss Stephenson as Ethel Maynard, who, despite a little nervousness, played with feeling. The parts of Lady Barbican, Mrs Todhuuter, and Mrs Lester were ably filled by Miss Gassy Matthews, Mrs Towers, and Miss Raymond. So far as the amateur element is concerned, the palm must be given to Mr Mitchell, who appeared as Mr Bunny, a pious gentleman of the Amiuadab Sleek stamp, who managed to live comfortably on the misfortunes of others. This gentleman is but a recent arrival in this City, aud, judging by his performance last evening, we trust we will have an opportunity of seeing him again at no distant date. Mr Israel’s Tom Shorter would have reflected credit upon a professional, aud confirms us in the opinion we formerly expressed as to his undoubted ability. Mr Perrier was at home in the character of the Hon. Digby Hardpace, the reckless spendthrift, whose stock-in-trade was his personal appearance. Ho played with confidence and skill, and, by the intro duction of a little “gag,” caused immense laughter. Mr Lilly was cast for an excellent part, but he did not_ take advantage of it. It really is surprising that ope who has appeared for so many years iq (

public should not have improved somewhat in his acting and elocution. At the termination of each act the curtain was raised in response to unanimous calls from the audience. The second part was opened by a gentleman connected with the legal profession, who gave “As I view those scenes so charming,” from “La Soimambula,” in splendid *tyle, and, upon being encored, substituted “The tempest of the heart,” from “II Trovatore.” Mr Alfred Anderson, who acted as accompanyist, followed with a fantasia, on one of Kirkman’s grand pianos, consisting of selections from “The Bohem'an Girl,” arranged by himself, which was encored. The musical portion of the entertainment concluded with a duet by two amateurs, “The moon has raised her lamp above,” which was nicely rendered. The farce of “ Tweedleton’s 'i ailcoat,” in which several amateurs took part, terminated a capital evening’s amusement. It will be seen from our advertising columns that Messrs M‘Landress, Hepburn, and Co. will offer for sale, on Monday, at their rooms, at two o’clock, several choice and valuable City and suburban properties. For particulars we refer our readers to the advertisements. A meeting of citizens, to hear an address from Dr flegg prior to his departure from Dunedin, will be held in the Drill-shed, Octagon, on Tuesday evening next, at seven o’clock. Other gentlemen will address the meeting, and the proceedings will be interspersed with music. His Honor the Superintendent will preside.