The Nelson Evening Mails. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1880.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 196, 18 August 1880, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mails. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1880.

Thehk was a large attendance afc tbe amateur entertainment given at the Theatre last night. The programme commenced with an overture on the piano exceedingly well played by Master John Gully, who, after the promise be held out last night, we may hope to see occupying a similar rank among musicians to that which his father has taken amongst painters. The lively little farce, "Betsy Baker," followed, and the laughter which ifc provoked left no doubt of the complete success of the actors in their efforts to amuse. Mr Marmaduke Mouser was thoroughly at home on the stage, and bis flirtations with tbe vivacious little laundress were as much enjoyed by the audience as by himself ; Mr Crummy, notwithstanding a little nervousness, got through his part very creditably ; Mrs Mouser, with her little affectations and peculiarities, was charming ; and Betsy Baker was simply inimitable, and in his evident partiality for her Mr Mouser had many sympathisers in the audience. The indisposition of a lady who was to have taken part in the musical portion of the entertainment, and the inability of another to attend, rendered a change of programme necessary at the last moment, bufc tbose who did sing evidently afforded great gratification, as thoy were loudly applauded, and enthusiastically encored. The . third part, consisted of what was called tbe "sparkling comedietta" My. Turn Next, the plot of which is exceedingly simple, indeed, we should not be disposed to quarrel with any one who might venture to call it stupid. Bufc, notwithstanding the poverty of fche material, the actiug was such that fche audience were kept highly amused for three quarters of an hour, a - result which speaks volumes for the dramatic abilities of thoso who had undertaken to give a very pleasant evening's entertainment for a very good cause. The net ' proceeds, we understand, were about £20. Yesterday afternoon before Messrs J. B. Dodson and G. W. Lightband, J. J. P., tbe children of Antonio Wefcfc, who was released from gaol on Monday, were, at the father's request, charged under the " Neglected and Criminal Children Act, 1867" with being neglected children in charge of a person being a common drunkard. The application of this term to their mother having by evidence been proved to be perfectly justifi- ' able, they were ordered to be sent to St. Mary's Orphanage for four, six, and seven years respectively. The beaming countenances of the little ones afforded ample proof of the delight with which they looked forward to the change in store for them. — Mrs Wetfc was then charged with using abusive language to her husband and was ordered to find a surety in the sum of £10 that she would keep the peace for six months, bufc no one being found willing to risk the money, she was sent to gaol. At the Magistrates' Court this morning, before Messrs. Kingdon, Sclanders, and J. Oldham, J.J.P., J. Sharland and J. Denne were fined in tbe "usual amount for allowing horses to stray in the streets. — W. Hargreaves v. J. A. Harley. Action to recover £1 16s, wages due, tbe plaintiff alleging that he had been wrongfully dismissed. Mr Fell | appeared for the plaintiff. The defence was that some dispute arose between master and man when the latter called the former a liar, which was considered sufficient ground for instant dismissal. This, however, was denied by fche plaintiff, and after hearing the evidence, the Bench gave judgment for the amount claimed and costß, £1 lis. The Bishop of Nelson delivered his lecture on " George Moore, the Cumberland Boy," to a large and attentive audience at Bichmond last night. He was listened to with deep interest throughout, and afc the close a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him on the motion of Dr. Muller. In Committee of Supply on Mouday night, the item "Greymouth Harbor Works £21,000" was struck out on a division by 22 to 21. From our last night's telegrams it appears thafc Mr Masters, the member for I the district, has been endeavoring apparently ' with some prospect of success, to induce the Government to place the vote again on the Supplementary Estimates. Tue monthly inspection of the Volunteers will take place afc the Drill Shed this evening at half-past seven. The country corps will come iuto town by train at a quarter past seven, and return home at half-past nine. Yesterday afternoon Mr Beeves asked the Colonial Treasurer "if it is true that certain brewers in the colony refuse to pay the beer duty, aud thafc the Government cannot compel them to do so ? " The reply will be found in our Parliamentary telegrams. The value of the property left by the late' Mr George Hunter of Wellington is variously estimated at from £130,000 to £150,000. Thb N.Z. Times of yesterday morning says: — '* Telegraphic inf ormation, embodying words of warning, was received by the Mines Department yesterday from, the newly discovered Lake Mapourika Goldfleld afc Okarito. Whilst the existence there of gold in quantity bas been indubitably proved, and also tbat, so far as appearances go, probabilities are vastjy

in favor of a large and profitable goldfleld having been discovered , yet the reports say tbat as long tunnelling and deep sinking must be resorted to reach the auriferous deposits, men who rush to the field without means to keep the wolf from the door for a while are likely to have a hard time of ifc. As a rush that might probably nsult in distress to the many is much to be deprecated, the Government, with commendable forethought, desires that these facts should be made known."