Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1870.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 749, 3 January 1870, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Times. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1870.

Elsthorpe.— The above station, it will be seen by advertisement, is to be sold by auction on the 27th inst. We are glad to state that Mr J. Campbell, who met with an accident at Waitangi last Monday, is gradually recovering the use of his injured limb. "Whaling.—We have been informed that, during this season, Messrs William Bartlett and John Morelle have captured 15 scamper down whales at Mahia. Mr. Kemp's Benefit.—We were much gratified on Friday evening with the entertainment provided by the members of the Garrick Club for the benefit of Mr Tom Kemp, scenic artist. Mr Worgan and several gentlemen of the Hawke's Bay Philharmonic Society kindly volunteered their sei vices on the occa-ion, and performed some choice pieces of music, viz., the overture to "Semiramide," which was beautifully rendered ; " La Dame Blanche, " (overture); "The Woman in White" waltzes ; "La Grand Duchesse" quadrilles; also several songs and a duett. Planche's comedietta of " The Loan of a Lover " was the first piece on the progi amine for the evening. Mr Swan, as Peter Spyk, was excellent; Mr Britten, as Swyzel, was very good. Gertrude (Miss Williams), and Ernestine (Miss G. Williams), were both nicely played. In the next piece, " A Dead Shot," Mr Kemp, as Mr Hector Timid, was admirable, and the make-up and acting of Mr Britten as Mr Wiseman were uncommonly good. Mr Wilson, as Captain Cannon, played the part of a peppery old military man to perfection. The part of Chatter (Miss G. Williams) was well sustained; and that of Louisa Lovetrick (Miss Williams) was, although a long and difficult part, played with ease and good taste. The farce of "The Area Belle" was well sustained throughout. Mr Kemp as Pitcher, and Mr Swan as Tosser, kept the audience .in roars of laughter; Mr Milner, as Walker Chalks the milkman, although a small part, was exceedingly good. The Misses Williams, as Penelope and Mrs Croaker, were all that could be desired. The evening's entertainment concluded with an allegorical tableau, representing the departure of the old. year and the birth of the new one. Great credit is due to Mr Kemp for the beautiful scenery he has got up for the occasion. • The last scene, " The Holly Bower/' was very effective. Such an entertainment has rarely been presented to a Napier audience. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, and if they did not it was their own fault. The weather was very unfavorable; heavy rain fell all the evening, no doubt keeping many away. We observe that in consequence of this, it is the intention of the Club to repeat the performance this evening.

Bank Holiday.—The banks will be closed this day, Monday, Jan. 3. A Race Meeting on the Beachroad will, we learn, take place this day, New '""ear's Bay.—Owing to the inclemency of the weather on Friday and Saturday much disappointment was felt by holiday-keepers, arrangements ha\ ing been made for out-door sports, picnics, &g , which the incessant downpour rendered altogether impracticable. The members of the Brass Band are especially unfortunate, as this is the second occasion on which their extensive preparations for a festival have been rendered futile from this cause. The bad weather, however, broke during ye* terday, and as we go to press this l morning there is promise of a specially tine day,'Which no doubt will be taken ad vantage of by holiday-seekers. Most of the amusements advertized for Saturday will probably come off to-day. Death by Drowning —We regret to have to record a melancholy occurrence which took place yesterday afternoon. From what we can gather, it appears that at about 1 p.m. yemerday a man known by the sobriquet of " Happy Jack," (not the ;Happy Jack of Wangawehi), went into the surf opposite the private bathing house, at the back of the ?4.as>onic Hotel, and after swimming [about some time the back sweep or draw back took him under water and he has not been seen since. The accident was witnessed by several persons, but no service could be rendered in the absence of lines or life-buoys, and before any could be procured it wan coo late. The deceased, who, we learn, was a member of the Armed Constabulary Force, has been described to us as " the worse ior drink, but not incapable," at the time of the accident.