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Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 29, 13 January 1864, Page 2

The announcement that last night the entertertainment would be " under the special patronage of His Honor Mr Justice Gresson," had the effect of filling to overflowing the upper portion of the Theatre R >yal. In addition to the ordinary vocal entertainments, of Mr Thatcher and Madame ( Vitelli, and Messrs Small and Leeman, Mr Thatcher introduced what may be termed the piece de resistance of the evening, in the shape of a poetic address on the occasion o< the judicial visit of HU Honor, in whi^h some rather amusing and witty hits were freely bestowed on the Bench and the Bar — His Honor, who was present, appearing very good humoredly to receive those referring to himself. Most of the other subjects of Thatcher's satire were also present, and as they were individually referred to, and then became " the cynosure of all eyes," thpir position did not seem to be an enviable one. TUe other performances were of the usual excellent kind, and a large audience appoared to derive considerable amusement during the evening. The Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court commenced on Monday in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, Conon Street, which had been temporarily fitted up as a Court of Justice for the occasion. His Honor Mr Justice Gresson, from Canterbury, was the presiding Judge, Mr Mac Donald acting as Crown Prosecutor, Mr Johnston, Registrar of Supreme Court for Southland, as Clerk of the Arraigns. The duties of the grand jury were concluded on the first day of the sittings, they having found true bills against the four persons on the calendar. As will be seen by our report, in another portion of to-day's issue, three of the four cases were adjudicated on during Monday and yesterday. The only remaining case, that of Elizabeth Adams, for uttering a forged cheque for £900 on the Bank of New South Wales, will ba. tried, to-day. During both days of the sittings of the proceedings appeared to be of some interest, the Court being well attended by the public. The Court will be opened to-day at, ten o'clock.