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Evening Star, Issue 3806, 6 May 1875, Page 2

BA memorial is in course of signature at Tapanui, asking the Provincial Government to undertake the construction immediately of a branch railway from Waipahee te that township.

The Timaru’s immigrants were brought to town by the four o’clock train to-day and were immediately forwarded to the Caversham Barracks. They will be open for engagement on Saturday.

The only case heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr T. A. Mansford, 8.M., was the adjourned one Sansbury v. Alves—in which judgment was now given for plaintiff for L 27 I9s 9d, with costs.

M'Pherson v. Shaw was continued in the Supreme Court to-day, and had not concluded when we went to press. Should this case be finished to-night, his Honor the Chief Justice will sit in banco to-morrow, but not otherwise. His Honor leaves for Wellington on Saturday. From a private telegram received in town to-day, we learn that Mr A. G. Millar (oMest son of Mr J. P. Millar, of this City), manager of the National Insurance Company, Auckland, died in that place from typhoid fever last night. Mr Millar was connected with the Customs Department here for a number of years. t . He leaves a young wife to mourn his loss.

The Scott Scholarship, for which there were only two candidates, has been awarded to George Montgomery, who is also the holder of a Provincial Scholarship. Of the nine candidates who presented themselves the following matriculated; Andrew Cameron, Thomas C. Parnie, Jas, Maopherson, George Montgomery, and John Sorley. The session of the University was opened last night with a lecture on ceolocv bv Captain Hutton.

The widow and two children of “The Unfortunate Man” are in distressing circumstances in Sydney. Mrs Small is an invalid, and the family would have been absolutely destitute but for the kindness of a gentleman who was connected with Mr Small in the mercantile venture on which the latter was engaged when he met his death. The ‘Post’ suggests that amateur societies might get up benefits for the relief of the family of one who never refused his services in the cause of charity. During the year 1874-5 the police made 3,223 arrests, being 1,168 more than were made during the previous year. The principal increase was in drunkenness, for which there were 742 more arrests this year than last. The other increases were in crimes of not a very serious nature—larcenies, obtaining money by false pretences, habitual drunkenness, vagrancy, ship desertion, and breaches of the Shipping Act being among the principal. The number of neglected children arrested during the year was 71 against 34 in 1873-4. ’

At noon to-day Captain Thomson and Mr J. Logan, J.P.s, attended at the gaol to investigate a remanded charge of house-break-ing at Caverahara, against prisoner Thomas Hewson. Mr Inspector Mallard, who appeared on behalf of the Crown, requested thatjthe charge be withdrawn without prejudice, on account of the absence of some witnesses. It was withdrawn accordingly, and will be re-heard when the police are prepared with the necessary evidence. The prisoner is at present undergoing a sentence of three months for larceny.

The Assessment Court, represented by Messrs J. Bathgate, Mason, and A. C, Strode, gave judgment to-day in the case of Miller v. Calcutt, a claim for compensation for land required for railway purposes. The Court was of opinion that the amount of compensation due to plaintiff was L3B, and judgment was given accordingly ; costs to be borne by t e Government Ike Court remarked that the proceedings in the cass had been rather hurried, and in future it would be better that more time should be allowed to parties interested, so that they would have full power to consider whether they should come into Court or not.

What must have proved a most disastrous fire, had it not been for the plentiful supply of water and the ready manner in which it was available, broke out in the kitchen of the Provincial Hotel, Stafford street, at afyout 12.30 p.m. to-day. The roof was first discovered to be on fire by the cook (Thomas Butler), who at onco gave the alarm, and with the assistance of Mr Sibbald and some of the hotel hands brought the two large hoses, which are kept on the premises in readiness for an emergency, to play upon the flames, which were quickly extinguished. The fire evidently originated by some sparks from the chimney (a small nue connected with the grilling apparatus, and which is carried very little above the roof) coming into contact with portions of the woodwork on the r,pof of the kitchen. The building was insured for L 1,500, and a few pounds will cover the damage caused. Captain Wain, and several members of the I'ire Brigade were in prompt attendance. The Nice and noble scoundrel who is about to honor the Colonies with his presence is the Hon. Major Harbord, a brother of Lord Suffield, who is an intimate friend of the Prince of Wales. Major Harbord having been detected in an imitation of the “Heathen Chinee” in a game of Baccarat, was kicked out of the room. Having been invited to resign, he was fool enough to refuse, unless “ they gave him back his money,” meaning the price of his commission, so ho has been summarily removed from the army, the Queen “having no further occasion for his services.” The of the scandal are thus stated :—“Walter Harbord has, ever since

he started in the fashionable world, about twenty years ago, had the entree to the very best houses.. His reputation has for years past been somewhat cracked, and not long ago he was black-balled when he came up for the Arlington Club. Nothing positive could, however, be proved against him, and success made him more dating and less careful. At Nice he used to play a good deal at the Club, where his constant successess excited suspicion. On one occasion he won twelve times, and en another seventeen times running. The game played at the Club was Baccarat, at which the person who gets a nine or the nearest to it wins. The game was played on a table in the centre of which was au opening through which at the end of each game the cards expended were swept into a basket beneath. The servants of the establishment in emptying the basket one morning were struck with of Quines, Thiy at once reported the circumstance, and the consequence was that a strict watch was kept, chiefly on Harbord, whoso wonderful luckfa is little game had brought in L 2,800 - had excited suspicion. That suspicion became a certainty, and one by one the players left the table, till only Harbord and a French officer remained. Harbord ingenuously inquired why all the fellows had gone. The reply was—“ Because they have discovered you to be a blackguard and a swindler, and have deputed me to tell you so.” . . . Had Harbord contented himself with winning thiee times out of five, he might have gone on clearing a comfortable little income.”

A large audience was present at the Princess’s last night to witness the first production in Dunedin of Temptation, dr Led Astray,” a drama translated from the French, and of which the scene ia laid in Paris. There is nothing novel in the plot, which ia very simple, and is indeed sufficiently indicated in the title of the piece. A young woman, married to a careless, easy-going man of the world, fancies herself a neglected wife because her husband is not for ever dangling at her heels—imagines that she is not loved by him because of his inattention to her and his devotion to hunting or the attractions of his club. Just as the continuation of this state of affairs renders the wife more and more miserable, a third party appears upon the scene (introduced in a most absurd and ridiculously sentimental way) in the shape of a romantic individual "who discovers that the ill-treated lady is the only one he ’had ever loved, though he never before saw her. Before long this lover, taking advantage of a matrimonial quarrel, has just persuaded the heroine to elope with him, when the husband fortunately comes upon them, and the result is a duel, in which, however, no one is killed. The frustrated lover then disappears, and after a time of coldness and lack of confidence the husband and wife are again brought to love each other, and to recognise their previous mutual failings. There are some very effective scenes in the play—notably that in which the injured husband discovers his wife and her lover together, and that between the husband and wife previous to the former’s going to meet his rival. The first of these scenes, Mr Hoskins (the Count de Vardea) works up with wonderful vigor, his acting, as the climax—the blow he strikes his rival approaches, being magnificent. The character throughout, in fact, is eminently suited to this gentleman’s capabilities, and Mr Hoskins throws all his power and spirit into the representation. Miss Colville, as the Countess, had an arduous part, but filled it most satisfactorily, the “ emotional ” scenes not being overstrained. Mr Booth is next deserving of credit, his Achillo—a good-tempered fellow, and a steadfast friend—being an excellent performance. Mr Keogh, who, In the absence of a member of the company, took the part of the romantic, poetic lover, was scarcely in his element, but he deserves credit for his effort. Miss Stoneham had a suitable part as Helene, and made the most of it. 'The other characters were ably represented, but do not require any special mention. The play will be repeated to-night.

“Observer” should send his name to and communicate with the police.

A soiree, concert, and ball will be given by the members of the British Hearts of Oak Lodge 1.0. G.T., in the Temperance Hall, tomorrow evening.

The ordinary weekly meeting of the Star of Freedom Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the school-room, Linden, last evening. The iustal lation of officers for the ensuing terra woe proceeded with as follows:—W.C.T. Bro. Lindsay, W.V.T. Bro. Birrell, W.S. and W.F.S. Bro. Scoullar, W.T. Bro. Cunningham, W.C, Bro. Davison, W.J.G. Bro. Black, W.O.G. Bro. Carter, U.H.S. Sister Duff, L.H.S. Sister M. Cunningham. The installation ceremony was performed by the L.D. Bro. Morris, assisted by Bro. Neill, D.G.M., to whom a hearty vote of thanks was accorded.