Correspondence.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 17, Issue 974, 22 March 1871, Page 3

Correspondence.

[We do not in any way identify ourselves with the opinions of correspondents.]

TO THE EDITOR Or THE HAWKE'S BAY TIMES.

Sir, —Having read some glowing accounts in your contemporaries of the theatrical entertainment at present advertised, and offered for the amusement of the Napier public, T felt induced to go, and the other evening, along with some other enthusiastic admirers of "The Play," paid my four shillings for admi>sion to the Oddfellows' Hall, anticipating a rich treat in witnessing the performance of " Wild Oats," and other fun to follow It is sufficient to say, however, that I wa> soon very glad

to clear out, miserably disappointed, for I considered myself as much soldhy the critique writers of the journals referred to a;s by the performance, which was a "rich treat" of the sort.—l am, &c,

[We received ihe above communication several days since, but refrained from publishing it, considering that it might operate injuriously on the parties to whom it referred. However, as it Beems to fairly represent public opinion, and as the performers in question did not scruple to publicly cast reflections upon a local Society, we give it insertion, after having struck out a second paragraph, in which our correspondent expresses his opinion of the performance in terms more forcible than complimentary.-- Ed. H.B.T.]

INFORMATIONS UNDER the MILITIA ACT, This morning, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, a number of person-" appeared in answer to informations charg ing them with non compliance with the provisions of the Militia Act The .specific charge in each case was that the defendant " and others u uJa wfully did fail to send or give in writing a statement of their name, age, and place of residence to the Adjutant of the Battalion or officer commanding the independent division, within the time mentioned in the 24th section of the Militia Act, 1870," &c. A good deal of interest was taken in the proceedings, and the Court was well filled. The defended cases were first called.

Matthew Edward Hayes, who was defended by Mr Maddock; pleaded not guilty. Mr Maddock said he could prove that Mr Hayes had not been six months in the Colony. These informations appeared to have been laid with undue haste, and he thought they weie not in accordance with the spirit of the Militia Act. By the notice which had been publicly posted, keepers of boarding houses, &c, were required to state the names and ages of those residing in their houses, on application being made, but he did not consider that the public were bound under a penalty to report, themselves. He could point out that Mr Hayes was also exempt as being u a clerk in the Telegraph office," as he was connected with the Daily Telegraph in the capacity mentioned. —Mr Hayes, being sworn, stated that when he was summoned he had not been six months in the Colony, and the information was therefore dismissed.

Richard Halhett Lord was then called, and pleaded not guilty. < He was also defended by Mr Maddock, who pointed out that under the 7th section of the Act officers who had voluntarily retired from her iYfajesty's service were exempted from serving in any lower rank than that which they had formerly occupied. He could prove that Mr Lord had formerly held the commission of Lieutenant in the Tower Hamlets. —Major Withers said that his sole object in laying these informations was to obtain a correct roll of the militia in this Province; which was required of him by the Government. A gieat many people in the place were shirking the service. The objection just raided was of no effect, as the Tower Hamlets were merely County militia, and formed no portion of the Imperial army.—The Bench considered the objection invalid, and fined the defendant os and costs.— Mr Maddock gave notice of appeal, but was informed that it was not competent for him to appeal against a fine of ss.

James Johnson was fined os and costs. Samuel Birch was called and reported to be absent trom the Province.

Michel Nechill pleaded that he was a foreigner and did not know the provisions of the Act. He was employed as a boatman at the pilot station, and had considered himself exempt.—ln reply to the Bench, he stated that he was a Russian Finn, and had never been naturalised. missed.

John Fisher, who pleaded that he had no intention of evading the Act, was fined 5s and costs.

Edward Paviour pleaded that he belonged to the Volunteers. Major Withers said he had joined since the information was laid.—lnformation dismissed.

J. Graham was called, but was found not to have been served with the sum mons.

Charles Bowman was also called, but did not appear, not having been served. Joseph Smith pleaded that be bad enrolled himself before the summons was served upon him.—lnformation dismissed.

11 illiam Parker (a clerk of the Court) pleaded that he had joined the Volunteers before he was served with the summons. —Major Withers *aid it was not before he was aware that a summons had been applied for.—ln answer to the Bench, defendant said he was seventeen years of age.—lnformation dismissed.

Frank Bee produced a medical certi h'cate exempting him from actual service —lnformation dismissed. Arthur Parnell had not been in the Colony three months.—-Dismissed.

James Syrnonds he "was over sixty years of age —Major- Withers said it was his son against whom the information was laid—Dismissed.

John Begy was called, 'nit was found not to have been summoued.

Frederick Hatch pleaded not guilty. —lined ss.

W. Boulton said he was not a resident in the Province.—Dismissed.

John Mt/hill said he was about to join the Volunteers.—Fined 5a and costs.