The Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4194, 5 August 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1876.

The monthly battalion parade did not take place yesterday evening, doubtless owing to the inclement weather.

" Romeo and Juliet" was repeated at the Queen's Theatre last evening, and was played in its entirety within .an hour and a-half, there being no waits between the acts. "King Lear" is announced for this evening.

In our report of the fire at Messrs Reid and Grey's establishment yesterday the insurance on the building was stated to be L2O. We understand that the damage done is estimated at that sum, but the premises and stock are insured for L 2,000.

The Britannia Rifle "Cadets held their weekly drill last evening, wh«n there was a good attendance. The members have received no answer to their petition to the Government, which has laid in the Dunedin Militia Office since tho 23rd of June.

In the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Mr Stout asked if the Government, in the event of the Otago Museum being placed under the management of trustees or of the Education Board, would place a sum on the Supplementary Estimates sufficient to provide for its completion and maintenance. In reply the Premier said before he took office the Colonial Museum was established, and Government were not prepared to consider the question again. They were not prepared to consider the establishment of two museums, nor indeed did he think it would be profitable to the Colony to do so. They did not think it right to burden the consolidated revenue with any such charges. Auckland and Christchurch had as much right to a museum Bubsidy as Otago. The fourteenth anniversary of Court Pride of Dunedin, A.0.F., was celebrated in the Temperance Hall last night by a soiree, concert, and dance, and, notwithstanding the bad weather, the hall was well filled. After the tea had received ample attention, a wellchosen programme was gone through, which consisted of songs, dances, and some wellrendered pieces by the fife and drum band, all of which, with few exceptions, seemed to give the audience great satisfaction. During the evening the annual report of the Court was read, which showed that it is increasing and flourishing, both numerically and financially. Mr Sykes presided at tho piano with his usual proficiency, and added greatly io tae success of tho concert. After the hall had been cleared an enjoyable dance took place, which terminated a highly satisfactory evening's amusement.

The annual general meeting of tho Ayrshire Association was held in the Provincial Hotel last evening. The Vice-President (Mr W. Caldweli) occupied the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet wore submitted to the meeting and considered highly satisfactory. In referring to the report the chairman congratulated the meeting on the succes which had attended the Association since its formation. The following officebearers were elected for the ensuing year, viz.:—-President, Mr W. Caldwell: VicePresident-, Messrs John Andrew and Jas. Craig; Treasurer, Mr Robert Campbell; Secretaries, Messrs Maclean and Gibson; Directors, Messrs J. Scott, H. Armour, A. Craig, R. Rammage, A. Morrison, A. Inglis, J. Haswell, A. Blair, C. Samson, J. Allan, A Heurt&on, J. Craig. The newly elected officers briefly returned thanks, and a vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring office-bearers.

The first annual meeting of the Dunedin Chess Club was held last evening, MrMouat (president) in the chair. The balance-sheet showed a sum of L 8 14s 6d to the credit of the Club; and the report stated that the number of members had doubled during the year. The following officers were elected : —President, Mr A. F. Nixon ; treasurer, Mr Janion ; secretary, Mr Archer; members of committee, Messrs Hay, Mander, Dalm, and Grinsted. About fifteen or sixteen members entered for the handicap tournament. The supper took place at Watson's Hotal, where a most sumptuous repast was prepared. Mr John Mouat acted as chairman; Mr Nixon (late of Auckland) as croupier. In proposing the toast of the evening, "Success to the Dunedin Chess Club," the Rev. Mr Ash stated that the Club now numbered sixty members. During the courae of the evening Mr D. R. Hay mentioned that he had challenged any five Auckland players to a match with five Otago chessmen, the match to be played in the day-time. After the toasts were disposed of the room was cleared and dancing kept up till three o'clock this morning.

The performance at the Princess's Theatre last evening was for the benefit of Mrs Lingard, and notwithstanding the exceedingly unpropitious weather, there was a very large attendance, the dress-circle being especially well patronised. "Frou-Frou, which has not been played here for a couple of years, constituted the programme, and a thoroughly satisfactory representation of the piece was given. Mrs Lingard, who appeared as tho wayward and vivacious Parisian coquette Gilbert© (a character which was represented by Miss Colvillo when the drama -was last played in Dunedin), showed that she was possessed of considerable dramatic ability, and that she is quite 33 much at home, if not more so, in extremely pathetic passages as in comedy pa; ts iu which hitherto we have only seen her. The characteristics of the gay, sportive young girl, the jealous wife who unjustly accuses hor sister of usurping her place in •er uuibaiid'* rffectien, arid tne heartbroken mother, wore most ably pourtrayed. Mrs Lingfivd dres-.ed magnificently, and throughout the performance played with much fervor. Wiss Colville acquitted herself most creditably as the reserved and amiable Louise, her acting being most natural. The scene between the sisters, in which Gilberte accuses Louise of endeavoring to estrange Sartorys and herself went capitally, and the call for "both ladies at the close of the act was as genuine as it was hearty. Mr Hoskins as Sartorys played as well as when he first saw him in this part—tho contrast in his performance in the earlier scones as tho indulgent and unsuspecting husband, and the disdainful and upbraiding manner in which he afterwards addresses htr on proving her perfidy, being very marked. The comic element was supplied by Mr Lingard as the Biron. A failing memory on the pait of one of the subordinate characters caused the prompter's voiceto be beard somewhat rather" frequently ; but the piece throughont jan smoothly, and those who wish to enjoy a good evening's amusement should witness the repetition of *' Frou-Frou "on Monday. " AUm '"•' m annotmctdfo? to-night. "' ■'