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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 113, 13 May 1874, Page 2

We have received Australian telet grams to tbe 6th instant by the Wonga Wonga ut Auckland, but we have nospace for them to-day. Paea Para Iron. — There was a good attendance nt tbe Masonic Hall last night, when an interesting lecture was delivered by Mr Anderson on the above subject. Provincial Council. — The bill of fare lor to-ni«ht is profuse and varied, there being no less than twenty-seven notices on the Paper. None of them, however, are of much public interest. Bachrlder's Pantascope. — We remind our readers that this is the last night on which they will have an opportunity of witnessing these beautiful views of American scenery. A change has taken place in the Blenheim newspapers. The Marlborough News is defunct, and the Marlborough Times has risen out of its ashes. The new paper is a decided improvement upon its predecessor. An extraordinary public entertainment has been produced in Lima, Peru, by an Italian named Contarini, who proposes to bring his exhibition to Europe. Ho has taught and trained, by dint of great patience and perseverance, an opera company, made up of 30 parrots and parroquets, who perform two of Bellini's operaß, " Norma" and " Sonnambula," oh a miniature stage, with full chorus recitative. The director and manager accompanies the artists on a piano-harmonium, and the perfection with which each bird sings his part and the excellence of the chorus are prodigious. The debut of his lyrico-ornithological company in " Norma " was attended by the wealth and fashion of Lima. When the parroquet tbat sang the contralto had finished the allegro to the " Salutation to the Moon ."such was the enthusiasm, the shouting, and the applause at hearing a bird sing the " Casta Diva " that the bird company, affrighted, took flight, and sought refuge among the side scenes. This interrupted the performance for fully a quarter of an hour, and Signor Contarini had to tranquiiise the " artists " by giving them bread soaked in wine. Thenceforth the expressions of approbation were moderated, in order not to spoil the play. It appears that the bird artists bave now become accustomed to the applause. The correctness and propriety with which they give certain parts of the opera are wonderful. The primo tenore possesses all the airs and graces of the school of Mario, and the ladies of Lima named the prima donna Patti. — Swiss Times.