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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 457, 28 February 1867, Page 2

The Late T. W. Peet.—As will be seen by advertisement in another column, a concert for the benefit of the widow- and orphan children of the late Mr Peet takes place in the Conn cil Chamber to-morrow (Friday) evening, at 8 o’clock. The programme comprises some of the finest gems of modern poetry', and (irrespective of the philanthropic object in view) we hope to see a full house upon the occasion.

The Drama. — On Tuesday evening last the Masonic Hall was crowded almost to suffocation by a respectable audience, which had assembled to witness the first appearance on the Napier boards of those talented artistes Mr. aud Mrs. Charles Poole. The piece selected for representation was a drama of a very high class called “ Leah, the Forsaken,” in which Mrs. Poole as the persecuted Jewess was grand in the extreme — her towering passion when she feels herself aggrieved, and her meek humility when kindness is shown towards her, stamp this lady as one of finest actresses we have ever had amongst us. Mrs. Poole’s acting throughout the difficult character of' Leah was most enthusiastically applauded, and richly did the fair tragedienne merit all the praises that were bestowed upon her; twice during the representation of the drama was Mrs, Poolo called before the curtain to receive a complete ovation from a delighted audience. Mrs. W. IL Newton (who has always made our heart glad when we have witnessed her lively impersonations) sustained the part of Anna, which she played with a grace and feeling that were duly appreciated by the audience. Mr. Newton (as Rudolf) sus tained the character with vigor, and in the scenes between the Jewess and himself, was excellent. Mr. Kemp in the part of Nathan (the heavy villain) went through Ins difficult role with skill and iudorment; and Mr.

Seymour, as the sentimental old magistrate, performed his part well. The minor characters were very well sustained ; and altogether the advent ol “ Leah ” upon our boards may be considered as one of the greatest dra matic successes that has ever been achieved in Napier, During the intermission Sir, G. L. Seymour played a duet oa the pianoforte and harmo-

mum, which elicited w ana applause. TKg performances concluded witn Jhe f fVA Cl\Af " in it*Vi> iftuyy vi vuw a/yuu *w n «hvu

Mrs. Poole as Louisa Lovetrick, Mr. Poole as Hector Timid, Mrs. Newton as Chatter, Mr. Kemp as uaptain a- Kfu no Wl’cemon and Mr. Seymour as Frederick, kept f].g audience in a continued roar. Mr. Poole’s TT -ctor Timid was really very funny, and his first appearance may lie considered as a decioed hit. ’ It will be seen from an advertisement in another column that the second performance of the season will take place this evening when Mrs. Charles Poolo

will appear ia aer usiaractci of Julia in Sheridan Knowles’s beautiful play of the “ Hunchback.” j

The late Superintendent of Nelson.—When addressing the Nelson people before leaving for England the Superintendent of that Province made an attack upon the Examiner, and Mr Elliot, proprietor of that journal, replied in a letter through its columns. The discussion is so far interesting as it keeps before the public mind a subject that ought never to be forgotten—the enormous cost of» the present system of Government. Mr Saunders said that he was glad to observe lately some articles in the Examiner, in which the great expense of our General Government, and the burdens of our taxes, were referred to very ably and justly; and he only wished that it had taken to such kind of writing ten years ago. It must, however, be a very difficult thing for for the Examiner to talk about these matters; it extremely awkward ; and it did not surprise him that it shirked the main question. It spoke very ably and justly of the salaries paid to the General Government officials having risen, in a few years, from <£30,000 a year to nearly .£200,000; but it quite forgets to say, that all salaries, both General and Provincial , put together did not amount to nearly so much as the interest of money borrowed by the Colonial Government; which loans the Examiner, and that party with which it had so long acted, did its very best to lay as a burden upon the shoulders of the Colony, and as a rule estimated the greatness of our statesmen by the greatness of the loans they proposed. To this Mr Elliot replies:—“Now, first, as to your rash statement that all salaries in the Colony, both General and Provincial, put together, do not amount to nearly a? much as the interest of the money borrowed by the Colonial Government The sum paid in salaries to Provincial officers in the year 1865 was £127,000, while that to paid officers of the General Government was <£198,000, giving a total of £320,000 paid in salaries in one year, and that amount has since been increased. If you will turn to the Financial statement of the Colonial Treasurer, made during the last session of the Assembly, you will find set down for Interest and Sinking Fund of Loan, and other Permanent Charges for the current year, the sum of £266,889, of £53,111 less —including the provision made for paying off the debt by a Sinking Fund —than the sum paid in salaries, instead of being considerably more, as stated by you.” From this it appears that every white person in New Zealand pays at the rate of 30s per annum for salaries to Government servants alone.—New Zealand Advertiser.