THE OPERA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 158, 6 July 1874, Page 2

THE OPERA.

A full, but by no means overflowing, house was present on S-turday at the last performance of the English Opera Company — The Daughter of the Regiment. We cannot say that the Company appeared to the same advantage on this occasion as they did when performing the Bohemian Girl. The hurry of their approaching departure mado iiself too palpably apparent, not only in the shortening of the piece, which was ruthlessly mutilated, but in the carelessness of the singers — a carelessness that extended to the chorus, which was repeatedly and unmistakeably out of tune. Miss May's song, " She wore a wreatb of roses," was the only portion of the performance tbat rose above tho baldest mediocrity; Mr Rainford's "Sulpice" was immeasurably inferior to his General Boom; and Miss Lambert, as tbe Marchioness, was tame and ineffective. "The glorious 21st," represented by half-a-dozen ill-matched and ill-drilled supers, hearing with thera a British Union Jack — captured, doubtless, in ooe of the French invasions of England — might have stood for that ragged regiment with which Fulataff declined to march through Coventry. We bave now said our last word about the performances of the Opera Company, and in saying it have not been deterred by the angry clamors of those who have not been gratified by our comments. We shall be glad to welcome again such sinsers as Miss May, aud such actors as Miss Lambert — s»y, at the end of twelve months — for we reckon that at least so much time will be required before our purses recover from the continuous drain to which they have lately been subjected, and before our spirits revive from the severe course of treatment tbat we have endured at (he hands of the funny mon. If tbe performers whom we have named, or others like them, could also contrive to bring a bass who acted less like au animated walking-stick — a tenor, whose voice, especially in its upper notes, was more equal to the demands made upon it — a spare drummer, as well as a drum — and two or three indispensable stringed and wind instruments — together witb people to play tbem, and would kindly leave their low comedian on the other side of the Straits, our debt of gratitude would be immensely increased. As it is, we are but n small people, and suppose that we ought to be thankful for small mercies.

An extensive cattle market is being erected near Christchurch. The land is ten acres in extent, aod the accommodation will be equal to 1000 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep, 1000 pigs, and 200 calves. It is to cost £5000.

We notice that in the Canterbury Provincial Council, the Hon Mr Buckley has tabled a motion to the effect that a sum of £450 be placed upon tbe supplementary estimates for the appointment of a Permanent Secretary for Education.

The Westport Times of the 3rd insi. cays: — A decided sell was perpetrated On Tuesday. A telegram came to hand from Greymouth, addressed to the agent of tbe steamer Ino, stating that the Otago would call off the Buller on her next trip. By misconception it was assumed meant " to-day," and the Ino being at tha Ngakawhau, the Result got steam up, and at 4. p.m. steamed out, a craft coming from the southward having some little before hove in sight. On board the Result were the Harbor Master, the Collector of Customs, and two or three business men. Over the bar went the Result, but away to the north steamed the strange craft, and it quickly dawned on the mind of the Westport voyagers tbat they bad been sold. The steamer turned out to be the Tararua going to Nelson.

j An extraordinary case of suffering I and of sustaining life in the bush has 1 occurred io the Opotiki district. The | discovery of the sufferer by a party of Captain Simpson's men, who were traversing the bank of the Motu River, under circumstances which are thus described by tbe correspondent of tbe Bay of Plenty Times: — One of them Mr Vercoe, fancied he heard a faiut cooey en the other side of the river. He proceeded to cross on some lega, and on reaching the other side found the lost man almost at the point of death, and so shrunk and shrivelled as to create a fe.lins of horror in the beholder. Mr Vercoe took him up in his arms an J carried him across the river again, over the logs with the greatest of ease. The unfortunate sufferer was taken into the camp, where he was treated with the greatest kindness by Captain Simpaon, who instantly despatched to the nearest township to procure delicacies aud restoratives, while others of the party went to work shooting pigeons, to make him broth, &c. For some time the poor fellow was totally insane; but has since under the care of Dr Enyland, who reached the camp shortly after his discovery, recovered his senses. He gives his name as William Gill, formerly of tbe 18th Regiment, Royal Irish. He left Mr Simpson's camp at the end of the Ormond part of the road ou the Bth of May; had with him about 21bs biscuits, was first discovered by Nicholls and the native on tho 4th June; who left him their food, he was finally taken into camp on the 7th instant. He describes himself as having existed upon flax and toi toi roots, leaves, and water during that period. He is now about the weight of a child four or five years of age.