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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5166, 12 October 1877, Page 2

The mails from London ex the Chimborazo, which arrived in Wellington by the Albion yesterday evening, consisted of 323 letters, 21 books, and 195 papers. Date of mail leaving England, 13th August. In sentencing an old offender named J. H. Thompson to various periods amounting to twelve months’ imprisonment, Mr. Wardell, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday, drew attention to the pernicious habit of drapers exposing goods outside their premises, thereby putting temptations in the way of dishonest persons. This has been frequently the subject of remark, both from the Bench and the Press ; but the drapers still continue the practice. However in Thompson’s case we believe the man would steal under any circumstances. He has been a notorious thief in Canterbury, and has there undergone several terms of imprisonment, until, as Detective Farrell put it, the authorities became tired of him. It is to be hoped that the severe sentence Thompson has received will make him tired of Wellington, and that at the end of his term he will seek fresh fields and pastures new.

On Wednesday morning a fire broke out in a house at the Lower Hutt in the occupation of two young men named Moloy and Lumsden, and owned by a settler at Horikiwi. How the fire originated is not known, but the building was consumed in a very short time. The men say that after they first perceived the place was on fire, they had barely time to save themselves and a few articles of clothing. Lumsden had his hair, neck, and hands burned before he got out of the place. Mr. Valentine, and some men in his employ, together with Mr. Farelly, Constable Stewart and others, rendered prompt assistance, and by their exertions the flames were prevented from spreading to the neighboring tenements occupied by Mrs. Pye and Mr. Scrimshaw.

There was a splendid practice of the Choral Society at Mr. Hunter’s rooms last night. All the choruses and quartettes of “The Last Judgment ” were gone through, and were admirably rendered, some of them with thrilling effect. The subscribers may anticipate a great musical treat when the oratorio is presented. Mi\ J. A. Edwards conducted. A crowded house was accorded the bui'lesque of “ Norma ” at St. George's Hall last night. The piece is full of fun and good music, and cannot fail to draw several splendid houses. Miss Lydia Howarde as Norma, Miss Navaro and Miss Nye respectively as Adalgisa and Pollio, and Mr. Metcalfe as Oreveso, were excellent representatives of their several parts. The introduced music was striking and effective, especially in the last act. To-night “Norma” will be repeated, and a lady’s gold watch will be the leading prize. In reference to the recent disturbance at St. George’s Hall, the particulars of which were forwarded by the Inspector of Police to Captain Digby, of H.M.S. Sappho, we understand that Mr. Cary, the manager at the hall, and others who can identify the rioters, are requested to attend on board the ship at 11 o’clock this morning, when an inquiry will be held into the matter, with a view to punishing the offenders, and that every facility will be given for the recovery of damages in a civil court for the injuries done to Constable McWilliams and to the property at the hall. The providing rational amusement for the unfortunate class of people confined in lunatic asylums has been found a great means of rendering their condition somewhat less unhappy and monetohous than it used to be in olden times, when no such humane measures were resorted to. Many of our readers are perhaps unaware that every week a ball is given at the Mount View Asylum. The patients mix freely with the other guests, and appear to enjoy themselves heartily. The present superintendent appears most desirous of doing all he can for the welfare of those placed under his care, and although it is evident from the published reports that the establishment in the past has certainly not been as well managed as it ought,to have been, there is every reason to believe that in the future veiy marked improvement will take place. “ Hand and Glove, or Page Thirteen of the Black Book,” by Paul Merritt and George Conquest, was produced for the first time in New Zealand at the Theatre Royal last night. Dramatically it is upon the whole a well constructed play. It is in the highest degree what is known as sensational. But the sensational is so dexterously mingled with the grotesque, that the spectator is not unpleasantly bewildered in his uncertainty of whether he should laugh or be very serious ; the action is so well managed that the attention is kept fully alive, and from the rise to the fall of the curtain the movement of the play never slackens or drags. It contains absurdities and improbabilities, but it is exciting and amusing. Of the acting. Miss Stoneham played the poisoned widow very naturally. Mias Laurence, as the attendant, also a widow, acquitted herself well. Miss Vernon had only a limited opportunity as the wife of the villain Colonel; but she made the most of it. We must not forget to mention Miss Wyatt. This young lady has played child parts before, but never with such good effect as on this occasion. Mr. Laurence played the military villain. He showed the scoundrelism in high relief, but kept it free from anything coarse or repulsive. Mr. Hesford, as a benevolent minded medical man, was dignified and paternal without effort. Mr. Howard and Mr. Rede played the two detectives. That Mr. Howard should extract fun out of any part he plays, is inevitable ; but as this part is intended to be funny, and as Mr. Howard playa it, those who are familiar with his humor may easily enough suppose what an excellent result is obtained. Mr. Rede is perhaps less in his element as the other detective, but he developes its humor in a dry sententious fashion very diverting. Both these detectives are arrant knaves, and a good deal of fun is obtained between them. “ Hand and Glove” will be repeated to-night for the benefit of the Indian Famine Relief Bund.

Reports prevail that the Turkish agents in New York are clandestinely recruiting troops tor Turkey, offering them a free passage, with three months’ advance pay. No regular recruiting office is established, or anything done which the Government can object to. Men who served in the American war are preferred, and officers engaging to serve are allowed to hold the rank which they acquired in America.

In the letter which appeared in our issue of yesterday, on the Native Rands Act Amendment Bill, signed “James Mackay,” the words “ ascertained or determined” were accidentally omitted after the word “ having " in the thirteenth line of paragraph 14. A special general meeting of the Wellington Cricket Club will be held at the Pier Hotel to-morow at 8 p.m. It is requested that all members will attend, as business of importance will be brought forward. A new vegetable tonic called “ Oliverine” has been dikcovcred by a French chemist It is extracted front the olive, and is said to be likely to supersede quinine as a febrifuge.

Mr. It. J. Duncan will hold an extensive sale of property to day. Amongst tho lots to be brought to the hammer are tho commodious building known as St. George’s Hall, with tho residue of the lease of tho land on which it stands, having twenty years to run; 245 acres at Fitzherbert, Manawatn; 244 - acres, ten miles from Carlyle; 162 acres, six miles from Wavorloy; 888 acres at Patea; 29 acres in the Omata District: , a 150,., freehold property in Leeds-stroet and Cuba-street (opposite Mr.. Logan’s store); two town acres with double frontages to Adelaicle-road and Herald-street and Adelahlc-road and Britomart-streot; also a valuable freehold villa residence, with garden, outbuildings, &0., in tho centre ef the thriving township of Carterton. Luncheon will be provided.