The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1876.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XL, Issue 186, 28 July 1876, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1876.

TnE House adjourned at 5-30 yesterday to this afternoon, and ia the evening Mr Whitaker will move his land fund resolutions, thus commencing what will probably prove a very lengthy debate. J The Siraonsen Opera Company, of whose performances we have heard so much, are to arrive on Monday in the Taranaki, and will make their first appearance in "Lucrezia Borgia" on Tuesday evening. "We are requested to state that four single tickets admitting to one night's performance may be obtained on the same terms as a season ticket. The water supply will be stopped this evening from 7 to 10 o'clock, in order to effect some repairs in the i main. The election of officers for the Loyal Nelsoa Lodge, 1.0. G.T., will take ' place this evening, at half-past 7. A football match will take place to-morrow afternoon between fifteen old Collegians and a like number of all comers. Both sides have picked a strong team, and as the players are now in better fettle than they were a week or two ago, a good game may be expected. That unfortunate political railway which graces the southern bank of the Grey river, to the disgrace of those who recommended such a line, has again come to grief, this time as seriously as unexpectedly. A few weeks ago a portion of it slipped, but that was only what was looked for, and probably was only a foretaste of what is to come, but the news has reached us to-day of tbe total collapse oi the suspension bridge over the river, which occurred this morning. Already the railway has cost nearly four times tbe amount of the original estimate, the Minister for Public "Works told us the other day that he wanted a trifle of £19,000 more to complete it, and now a few additional thousands will be required to re-erect the bridge. By far the cheaper plan would be to admit the mistake made, leave the works, as long as they will stand, as a monument of politico-engineering folly, and let all future expenditure be laid out in constructing a new line on this side of the river. As was expected, last night's amateur dramatic performance, consisting of Goldsmith's delightful comedy "She stoops to conquer," was a complete success in every way. The closelypacked audience were delighted, and those who had taken the trouble to get up the entertainment had the double satisfaction of finding their efforts thoroughly appreciated and of learning that £57 had been received for tickets, thus enabling them to hand over a handsome sum to the Harmonic Society, in aid of whose funds the performance was given. "We have no intention of criticising the performance in detail; it is enough to say that the bestowal of careful attention and study upon the various characters was evidenced throughout. Miss Hardcastle, a very difficult part to take, was entrusted to a lady at whose hands it received the fullest justice. The dress was exceedingly good, the acting inimitable. Mrs Hardcastle was simply delightful, both in stooping to conquer, and in the moment of victory when she so unmercifully quizzed the astonished Marlow. Miss Neville had got up her part remarkably well, and tbe charming little maid had only to show herself on the stage to ensure a hearty greeting. Hardcastle was well represented, as also was Young Marlow by a gentleman who is well known in Nelson as an excellent amateur actor, and who thoroughly entered into the spirit of the character. Hastings appeared to be quite at home and at his ease in his part, and Stingo, Diggory, and the others deserve a word of praise for the share they took in the performance. Tony Lumpkin — well, we scarcely know how to describe his acting. It was perfect, and that it was thoroughly enjoyed by the very numerous audience was manifested by the bursts of applause and shouts of laughter which he so frequently called forth. The scene between him and his mother when she informed him that she had really lost her jewels which he, having himself taken them, had recommended her to pretend to have lost, and he feigned to believe that she was only acting a part, and that her distress was put on, was splendidly acted by both, and fairly brought down tbe House. "We must not omit to mention the very efficient little orchestra which so pleasantly filled up the time between the acts. As a large number of ticket-holders were turned away from the doors owing to the crowd that had assembled within them long before the hour appointed for commencing, the Company have determined to repeat the entertainment on Monday night, when we shall be much surprised if they do not again fill the Hail.