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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 94, 21 April 1874, Page 2

A recent Christchurch exchange says : — A novelty in musical matters, so far as Cbristchurch is concerned, was given on Saturday afternoon by Madame Winter, in St. John's schoolroom, in the shape of a Matinee Musieale, common enough in England, but rare in tbe colonies. In connection with the strictly musical portion of the programme, Madame Winter delivered a very well written lecture or treatise on music, tracing it from the earliest times, and interspersing it with useful and valuable hints to learners as to expression, &c. Two sympathetic persons who where present in the Supreme Court in DuDedin last w^ek paid a penalty for the indiscretion they exhibited in applauding the verdict of a jury by clapping their hands and stamping their feet. His Honor at once instructed the police to bring before him any persoos so offending, and two were placed in tbe dock. Addressing them, his Honor said : — "You must be aware that it is an offence against tbe law to applaud juries and Courtß. They are bound to do their duty; and, if applauded on one occasion, they might bo hissed on another. This practice has become so frequent that I have made up my mind, on the first offender being brought before me, to inflict upon him a slight punnishment." Said one of the accused pr rsons, " I was not aware, your Honor, that I was doing any harm." " Then," replied his Honor, "I must warn the whole population that tbere is harm in it, and I now commit you both, for contempt of Court, to the common gaol for twenty-four hours. Oa any future occasion tho committal will be for a longer period." The persoos so committed, William C'Keef and John ! Wilsou, were then removed iv custody. The Bank of New Zealand, acting for the Auckland Improvement Commissionerp, invite tenders for £50,000 debentures bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent, per annum. We take the following from the Melbourno Argus as to the bank absconder lately arrested at Wellington: — ** George Maurice Drummond, lately manager of the Richmond branch of the Provincial and Surburban Bank, has been brought before the local police court. Tbere were three charges entered against him, of embezzlement, stealing, and forging a bank slip for £250. Mr Pendergast, who appeared for the bank, applied for a remand in consequence of the illness of Mr Jamieson, late manager of the Provincial Bank. Tho prisoner was remanded accordingly, bail being allowed io two surities of £500 each, and himself in £1000. We are informed that nearly the whole of the money taken by the prisoner has been recovered. A sum of £470 in gold was found upon him on his arrest, and Detective Williams has recovered a draft for £976 163 drawn in the name of James Williamson, at the B^nk of New South Wales, Nelson, ou tbe Bank of New South Wales, London, in favor oi Maurice Douglas, and datad February 2. The total amount of the defalcations was £947 from tho Provincial Bank, and a sum of £987 was obtained from the Oriental Bank The prisoner bad a guarantee policy of £1000, so that the losses will be fully covered." A number of members of the theatrical profession in Melbourne recently gave a benefit to Lottie in the Theatre Royal, and a handsome sum is said to bave been realised for the young widow. A Sydney Telegram to the Melbourne press states that " the French Government has telegraphed for further particulars as to the escape of tho Communists from New Caledonia, as they cannot believe it." It is mentioned, abo, that Rochfort intends to sail for England at once, and then pass over to Switzerland, where he will await tbe turn of affairs in France.