The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4163, 30 June 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1876.

Some ardent admirers in the " Empire City" of Madame Simonsen's talent are collecting subscriptions for a presentation to ■that lady, which will be made in a few days on the occasion of her benefit. Mr Peter Thomas Finn, formerly of Melbourne barrister-at-law, was admitted and enrolled as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand by his Honor Judge Williams this day. Medical men appear to occasionally pick up good fees in the North Island. The Auckland ' Star' states that Te Hemara Pauhia, one of the most enlightened Maori chiefs at Mahurangi, has given one hundred acres of the, finest land in the neighborhood of Waiwera to Dr Mohenbeer, for having cured his son of a wheiohe, or gathering, which he had contracted on the leg. A new definition of a Good Templar was given' in the Auckland R.M. Court last week. Counsel in a case remarked that his client, who was giving evidence, ay as a Good Templar, but the witness demurred to the statement, and declared himself a "teetotaller, but not a Good Templar." " What is the difference," inquired the Court, "between a teetotaller and a Good Templar ?" Witness : " Well, a teetotaller can shout, but a Good Templar can't." Iu Dunedin the distinction is not strictly observed.

A meeting of ratepayers favorable to the return of Mr C. S. Reeves, M.P.C., as Mayor of the City for the ensuing year, was, held in the Hall last evening; Mr R. Wilson in the chair. The candidate delivered an address, in the course of which he remarked that a large number of those who last year opposed him had voluntarily expressed their intention of working hard this year to return him. If his memory served him Mr Walter, as he was returning thanks after his ele tion as Mayor, said distinctly that he hoped those who had voted for him on that occasion would "be found voting on the following year for Mr Reeves." And yet Mr Walt it came forward again this year. Could that be called keeping faith with the public ? On the motion of Mr J. P. Armstrong, M.P.C., it was resolved—" That this meeting form itself into a committee; with power to add to its number, for the purpose of securing the return of Mr Reeves as Mayor of the City." Mr Sydney Jamas was appointed Secretary, aud a vote of tbanka to th§ Chairman concluded to the proceedings, <

"CamiHe" was played to a fair att«ndance at the Queen's Theatre last evening, Mrs Walter Hill giving an admirable rendering of the part of the heroine. Mr Steele was also excellent as Aruiand Duval. This evening the popular play "The J ady of Lyons ' will constitute the programme.

The Wellington* Post' »ays that the next statement of the local wharf accounts) k being looked forward to with considerable interest by the ratepayers, who are naturally anxious to Bee whether the annual profit of LIO.OOO anticipated by the Corporation is at all likely to be realised. It was all very well to publish glowing statements of the enormous wharf returns at the busiest season of the year, and to frame brilliant estimates of incoming revenue, based upon those statements, but the real test is the winter season, which probably will reduce the monthly returns very considerably below the average of the previous quarter, if, indeed, any profit at all remains over and above the current expensess

The ' Post' thus bewails the effect of the purchase of the N. Z. Steam Shipping Co.'s vessels by the Union Co.: —" We cannot but regret that Wellington should cease to be the head-quarters of at any rate one of the leading shipping companies of New Zealand, and it is unquestionable that this city and port will feel materially the loss of the large annual expenditure of which it has had the benefit so long. Still the transaction is a purely private and mercantile matter with which no one has any business to interfere. The N Z.S.S. Company has been well supporteel from the first by the tr welling public, and if they deem it inexpedient to continue c-mpeting with suc-i a formidable opposition as that of the Union Company they have a perfect right to do so." A correspondent of the 'Wairarapa Standard' writes:—"A curious" mode of punishment was inflicted upon the children of a school that stands somewhefe between Taueru and Carterton. The master shouted silence in vain—noise reigned supreme. There is confidence in numbers, and the boys thought they could not all be punished, but in this they made a wrong calculation. The principal still finding them obstreperous, cal'ed the elements to his aid. He opened all the windows and doors. At the time a heavy gale was blowing from the sou'-west, and its benign influence was speedily felt. The boys soon sat down upon the forms shivering, and not a little astonished. The wind had a soothing effect and reduced them to submission quickly."

The only business before the Resident Magistrate s Cour';, Port Chalmers, this day, was a charge of assault lodged against Wm. Edgar, by John Ah Chong, on the 26th inßt. Accused pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor said that he was steward of the barque Nardoo. On the afternoon of th«r26th inst. he was standing outside the ship's galley, when accused came and struck him in the face. He had not given accused any provocation. In answer to the accused, witness stated that he had charged accused with stealing a loaf of bread. In defence, accused stated that during the afternoon of the'day in question the butcher's boat came alongside, when he took the meat and bread, which he put on the rail. Some one took the loaf into the forecastle, when the steward accused him of stealing it, which he denied. They had a few words, and the steward attempted to strike him; and witness then struck the steward in selfdefence. His Worship considered an assault had been proved, tut no doubt under great provocation. He would order the accused to pay a fine of 5s and costs; in default 48 hours'imprisonment. ' ■'""'.

The Nelson 'Times' of the 20th inst. announces the death of Mr Frederick Tuckett, at his residence in London. This gentleman will be remembered by the very early settlers of Nelson as the «. hief surveyor of the lands of that Province under the New Zealand Company. He was one of those present at the historical Wairau massacre, and it was he who, before leaving the pah, strongly urged upon his comrades the necessity of meeting the Natives unarmed. The wisdom of his advice was evident when, as it turned out, the first shot fired on that disastrous day was an .accidental one. By that shot the daughter of the head chief Rauparaha, and wife of the chief Rangihaiata, was killed, an act that was construed by the Natives into the commencement of hostilities on our part. The scene that followed needs no description here, and a few words will describe the part Mr Tuckett took on that memorable day. With some of his companions he succeeded in making his escape to the beach, and there overtook a wounded man whom many others had passed in their flight. At the imminent risk of his own life Tuckett assisted the injured individual to a place of safety. On the beach a number of those who had made good their escape were! endeavoring to make arrangements for a passage by a whaleboat to the Government brig, but were unable to pay the exorbitant fee asked by the owners of the boat. This fee Mr Tuckett paid for them, and thereby saved their lives and his own.

A delightful performance, of Coleman's comedy "The Heir-at-Law " was given at the Princess's -Theatre last evening to a large and appreciative audience. The comedy is so well known and so gr.at a favorite that a lengthy notice is unnecessary, ind it will be sufficient to say that Mr Hoskins was perfectly irresistible as Dr. Pangloss, the penniless old pedant, in search of a suug tutorship or other lucrative situation. The innumerable ready and appropriate quotations which fall from the character's lips were delivered with great unction, and Mr Hoskins made every point tell. The next-best played part was that of Ezekiel Homespun, filled by Mr J. Graham, whose voice and manner were admirably suited to the character. This gentleman, as well as Mr Hoskins, received several rounds of applause. Miss Docey Mainwaring made a pleasing Cicely Homespun, ably supporting Mr Graham. Daniel Dowlas the tallowchandkr, temporarily elevated to the peerage as Lord Dnberly, was humorously delineated by Mr Mnsgrave; and the rattling Dick Dowlas was exceedingly well represented by Mr Douglas. The minor parts, of Caroline Dormer and the Irish serving-man Hendrich were satisfactorily filled by Mfss Lawrence and Mr Stark, the latter beiug amusing in the extreme. We had almost omitted to mention Miss Hettie Howard's natural acting as Lady Duberly. This evening is set apart as a fashionable night, and an excellent programme will then be submitted, comprising "Naval Engagements" and "High Life Below Stairs."

We have to acknowledge the receipt of vol. 1 of part 8 of "The New Zealand Jurist," new serie3

We have to acknowledge the rrc<-ipt of vol. 8 ot the Transitions a:.d Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. Our readers are remi ded that the Fire Brigade concert an.l ball will come off at the Temperance I '■ all this evening. The monthly meeting of the Colonial Buildin;.' Cempmy, for payment of instalments, will be held on Monday, between 7 and 8 p.m., at the office. Holders of tickets in the art union 'n aid of the Christian Brothers' Schools a>e reminded that the drawing will take place this evening, in the lowir hall of the Athenaeum, at 7.30 p m

''he weeldv m etingof theD-yspiing Lodge. No. 97, Kensi. gton was held s*e terday evening* Two candidates-were • uly ir itiated. It was re olved that the anniversary of the Lodge on the 3rd August be cele 1 rutud by a public social entertainment,

We notice by advertisement that the iifle gallery adjoining the Princess'd Thotro will 1)3 re-opened to-morrow evening.

Some new f'-iees wid appear at the Temperance Hall Concerts to-morrow eveni< g. ihe programme will be found in our advertising columns.

We notice by advert'sement that the players in to mo,row's g me of hockey, or "shinty." are recmeeted to meet at Watson's at 2 o'clock sharp* dmV equipped with ftiyts. The captain of ■■the Football Club has suspended football < n account of the hockey match and the sloppy state of the ground; Nearly fifty aspirants have signified their intention of taking part in what promises to be a most exciting game. If wet to-morrow, the match will be played the following Saturday.