The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1878.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5270, 13 February 1878, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1878.

It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns that Sir George Grey will address a public meeting of the electors and citizens of Wellington on Thursday (tomorrow) evening, at the new theatre in Man-ners-street, at eight o'clock. The deputation who presented the address to Sir George Gaey yesterday were not absolutely certain whether the new theatre could be obtained for the purpose ; but in any case it will be announced to-day what is the place of meeting. As Sir George Grey is expected to deliver a most interesting apeech, it may be anticipated that there will be a very large attendance on this occasion.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs. E. J. Duncan, G. Crawford, W. Finnimore, and J. Martin, waited upon the Premier yesterday with a numerously signed memorial asking Sir George Grey to address the electors of Wellington. The deputation was introduced by Mr. Duncan, who stated that the memorial was signed by about 800 electors. Mr. Duncan said the memorial was presented, not only because they wished to hear the opinions of the Government regarding the measures to be brought forward next session, but also as a mark of their appreciation. Sir George Grey, in reply to the deputation, said he felt vary much obliged to the gentlemen who had signed the requisition, and expressed his willingness to comply with their request. After some discussion as to the best time for the address to bo delivered, it was agreed that Thursday next would be most convenient, and the Premier said it would afford him great pleasure to address the electors on that day. In our Issue of yesterday we referred to the fact of the eminent firm of Guthrie and Larnach having purchased a very eligible business site at the junction of Featherston and Grey stree.s. The firm, as will be seen on reference to our advertising columns, has recently purchased the Manukau Kauri Mills, and having also large red and black pine mills in the South, is in a position to executo orders for timber with great promptitude and regularity. Arrangements have been made for a regular supply of builders’ ironmongery, cements, oils, paints, and general merchandise, of which large shipments are landing and to arrive. A deputation of residents at Featherston and its vicinity waited upon the Hon. Colonel Whitmore and the Hon. Mr. Fisher at the Government Buildings yesterday, in order to point out to tho Ministry that the present site of the post office at Featherston was inconveniently situated, and that a more eligible site might be chosen, with advantage to the residents in the immediate locality, and to the public revenue. The Ministers On whom tho deputation waited said they would consult with their, colleagues, with a view to meeting the wishes of the inhabitants of tho Featherston District in tho matter. The deputation having thanked tho Hons. Colonel Whitmore and Mr. Fisher, then withdrew.

The \j.S. Minstrels had another capital koil’Jo at the Odd Fellows’ Hall last night, When the same programme as that .of the previous evening was given with great success. To-night an entire change in the programme is announced, and this is said to be the best bill of the season. To judge from the items advertised, those who visit the Odd Fellows’ Hall this evening will be well repaid. Mr. Braham will sing the great martial song “Hark the Drum;” Messrs. Hudson and Holly will give some of their negroistic foolishments ; Mr. Campbell will sing some of his popular songs ; and there will also be the two amusing sketches, “ Deaf as a Post” and “ 1.0. U.” The evening's entertainment will conclude with the great burlesque opera “ Kill Trovatore,” in which will be introduced the celebrated anvil chorus. This being the last performance but one of thia talented and popular troupe, a full house may confidently be looked for. The Minstrels proceed to Christchurch by the Taranaki on Friday. The panorama of the Russo-Turkish war was again successfully produced at St. George’s Hall last evening. The pictures, numbering from forty to fifty, depict the most thrilling scenes enacted during the war. Amongst the views especial mention may be made of “Constantinople,” the fate of which city is exciting the world's attention. The representation is an admirable one. The mechanical scene, referred to in a previous issue, representing a fight between a Turkish gunboat and a Russian torpedo-boat, went better than ever last night. As usual a number of valuable gifts were given away. To-night the same bill will be repeated. The high wind last night did not prevent a very large audience from attending the Theatre Royal to witness “ The Hew Magdalen.” Miss Ward’s exposition of the part Mercy Merrick was well-considered, intelligent, and thoroughly womanly. All through she carried the audience with her, and at the end, when she stood with the Julian Grey of the bills, there was presented a picture so realistic and effective as to be intensely teaching. Instead of the usual “ tag” and gathering of the dramatis person®, these two were alone. Mercy Merrick’s appeal to the man who preferred her to position, friends, and social advantages, was more effective than any grouping could possibly be. Miss Ward has established herself as a firm favorite here. Her appearance on the stage is the signal for warm applause, and she is recalled at the end of each act. The cast last night was rather incongruous, but the company played according to their lights, and at all events were conscientious aud painstaking. Miss Willis especially deserves mention for her rendering of Grace Roseberry. Tonight we are to have “ The Lady of Lyons, ’ with Mr. Walton as Claude Melnotte. Mr, Howard is also in the bill, which is a very strong one, especially as Miss Ward ought to make a splendid Pauline. Her present engagement positively closes on Saturday next. The great drama of “Ambition” was repeated last evening at the Princess Theatre before a fair audience, when Mr. W. C. Dillon again acquitted himself most creditably in ids great character of Athelwold. Wo notice that this painstaking actor takes his benefit tonight, when he will appear, for the first time in New Zealand, as Hamlet, in the rendering of which arduous character he has received the highest encomiums from the Euglish and colonial Press. Miss Edith Pender will appear as Ophelia ; Mr. I. F. Keogh and Mr. J. P. Hydes (who have kindly given their services), will respectively appear as the Ghost and First Gravedigger. They will be well supported by the entire strength of the Princess Company. With this great attraction, and the popularity that Mr. Dillon has attained, not only as an actor but for the manner in which he has placed the pieces on the stage, it may be confidently expected that he will have a bumper house on thia occasion. At Mr. Francis Sidey’s land sale yesterday there was a fair attendance, but the bidding was far from spirited. A four-roomed freehold cottage and ground, 30ft. frontage by 114 links depth in Little Taranaki-street was disposed of, for the sum of £135, to Mr. F. Johnson, and Mr. P. Ahradsen was purchaser of the lease for 20 years of a dwelling-house and ground in Tory-street at £145. The Carelia Lodge property was bought in at £5lO. Mr. F. Side/ will jell by auction, at eleven o’clock this morning, without reserve, at the resilience of Mr. C. A. Curtis, Ingostre-streot, the whole of the valuable furniture and affects of his twenty-two roomed dwell-ing-house and boarding-school. Mr. Duncan holds a large sale of landed properties on Thursday (to-morrow), I4tb February, ami he has asked us to direct attention to his advertisements of the several city and country lands which appear iu another column in our fourth page.