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Southland Times, Issue 636, 25 February 1867, Page 2

The performance at the Theatre Boyal on Friday evening was a- success. The entertainment as a whole was exceedingly good. The petite drama, " The Trumpeter's Daughter," is a pleasing little piece, which wai exceedingly well played* The selections from Macbeth were, however, the feature of the evening. Hiss Juno, as Lady Macbeth, appeared to greater advantage than we have yet seen her, and called forth regret that the stnallness of the company precludes the hope that we may more frequently see her in the higher class of characters which from her performance on Friday night it is patent that she is pre-eminently qualificated to represent. Miss •Tuno, as Lady Macbeth, was almost faultless, she looked and performed the part with a power, and displayed thorougher conception of the author's meaning seldom witnessed. It is unnecessary to dwell upon the parts in which she appeared to the greatest advantage; as all she did she did well, and the audience while applauding what they witnessed, regretted that the whole tragedy could not be produced ; the versatility of talent displayed bythis lady is truly great. Mr Searle, as Macbeth, played with spirit and precision most unexpectedly good, and thoroughly merited the marks of approbation awarded him. The after part of the performance was spirited, and successfully elicited continued marks of satisfaction from the audience. The next performance will take place on Tuesday next, when a new programme will be presented, consisting of "One Hour Trial;" or, the "Momentous Question :" ' song by Mr Searle, and tiie •' Rough Diamond." The efforts that are being put forward by the proprietor of this handsome place of amusemedt to provide public entertainment is deserving of the fullsst measure of support, and it is to be hoped it will be awarded. A few days ago news reached us from our telegraphic correspondent in Dunedin, to the effect that there was a probability that His Excellency would not visit Southland. Inquiry was made on receipt of the telegram, whether the local Government had been advised in a similar manner, and receiving a reply to the contrary we Jeemed it advisable to suppress the information, thinking that our correspondent must in this instance have been misinformed. The Government, however, to set the matter at rest, telegraphed to the Hon. Major Richardson, stating the rumor, and asking to be informed of its cor rectness. On last Saturday afternoon a reply was received by His Honor the Superintendent, which we lay before our readers : — " Dunedin, Feb. 23. — Ministers have decided that the Governor shall visit Southland, and I know nothing likely to affect that decision. — J. Bichabdsok." "We understand that it is definitely decided that the Governor will remain at the Southland Club Hotel during his sojourn in the metropolis of Southland. Eooms have been engaged for the use of His Excellency and suite, and the upholsterers and decorators are now busily engaged in making preparations for Sir George's arrival. From a hasty inspection of the apartments destined for the use of the viceregal party, the most j favorable impression is conveyed of the really excellent and superior accommodation afforded by ; this spacious hotel. The proprietor, Mr J. F. Jones, we learn, has gone to very considerable expense, in order to befittingly receive therepresen- , tative of royalty. We have to thank that gentle- i man for the urbane and courteous manner in I which he pointed out the various improvements i recently made in the arrangements in expectation < of the forthcoming visit. 1 It has been suggested to us that an appro- < priate feature in the festivities to be observed < during the Governor's visit would be the pro- 1 viding of suitable refreshments for the enjoymeut i of the children that should form part of the pro- c gramme. This could be accomplished by having 3 stands erected in a principal part of the town, { where they could be supplied with, buns, « lemonade, &c. ; also, it would not he undesirable i to provide refreshment of a more substantial Mnd 1 for the country visitors that might be expected to arrive in town during the first day of the visit t of His Excellency. It is further suggested that ( the expense would be defrayed by the special <; contribution of the citizena'for this purpose. a Thatcher, the comic singer, is at present in c Adelaide, performing in his usual style, making c "hits," and caricaturing local celebrities. He is B accompanied by Mrs G.-Loder (Miss Nevilee c that was) who singa ballads, and Mr Pappin, n who is also a vocalist, Mr George Loder acting as n pianist. The performers are drawing good 1< bouses. a A Presbyterian Church, under the pastoral b Jare of the Rev Mr Gore, is shortly to "be opened n. »t HoSitiift, .;■■-. y

We len*n that the whole of the drapers in town have at last agreed upon closing t^ieir places of business at a regular and more reasonable hour than lhev have hitherto b»en in the hnbit of doing. We understand that henceforth they will close durrnc the summer, from the Ist of October to the 81st of \fareh, at 7 o'clock ; and during the other six months of the year at 6 oVloelc. We trust, the arrangetnent.niav be punctually adhered to. and c*»n seeno reason why it should not be so ; we think they might have safely made it B o'clock throughout the year without inconveniencing a single customer, or doing detriment to their own pockets. We have long been nt a loss to understand what object was to be gained by keeping places of business in full blaze until far on in the night j the causes of late hours which exist'in the old country being nonexistent here, we could only loot upon it as the result of habit, j and a very bad habit too ; there 13 no portion of our population who feel it necessary to defer malting their purchases until after late, consequently an hour sooner or later can male no difference to them ; while if all the j shops shut punctually at a given time, no business will be lost to- any one, and a considerable saving in light, &c, will be effected, while the time thus saved must be a great boon to both employer and employ £. We would only further urge upon our fair readers that they should consider it a duty to do their shopping at an early hour in the afternoon ; it is not sufficient to enter the warehouse before the hour of closing — nomerchantwillshuthisdoorin the face of a good customer, nor do they like to put out the lights while one remains at the counter to be served ; it therefore follon'9 that if purchases are not made until the last minute allowed, a considerable time must still elapse before the shopman can get everything made snug for the night, and leave the premises, thus perpetuating the evil, encroaching upon the rule laid down, and still depriving men of those hours usually devoted to social enjoyment and relaxation to which they have an undoubted right. The following information is published relative to the Post Office Savings' Banks that have been opened at the Poßt Offices at Wellingston, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, and Hokitika: — 1. Interest at the rate of five per cent., per annum is given .on sums less than £200; at the rate of four per cent. per. annum on sums over £200 ; and in the same proportions for any shorter timeon every complete £1 deposited, provided that no'interest be allowed on more than £500. 2. Depositors in the Post Office Savings' Bank have direct Government security for the prompt repayment of the money. 3. A. depositor in any one of the Post Office Savings' Banks can continue his deposits at any of such Banks, an^ can withdraw his money at that Post Office BanV which is most convenient to him. 4. The strictest secrecy is observed witli respect to the j names of depositors in Post Office Banks, and the j amount of thir deposits. Married women may deposit money in the Post Office Savings' Bank, and money so deposited will be repaid to the depositor, unless her husband gives notice, in writing, of marriage, and claims payment of the deposits. 6. Money may be deposited by or on behalf of minors. Depositors over seven years of age are treated as persons of "full age, but minors under seven years of age cannot withdraw their deposits until after they have reached the age of | seven. 7. Applications to the Chief Office in each Province on the business of Post Office Savings' Banks and the replies sent thereto, are i free from charge for postrge. Miss Dolly Green, a favorite actres3 at Dunedin, has been presented by some of the play-going public of that city with a gold bracelet, a brooch, and a pair of ear-rings set with pearls. The Border customs difficulty is settled, and settled fairly. Victoria is to pay £60,000 a-year and there is to be free trade across the Border. New South Wales is to collect duties on goods coming up the river. This decision will probably give general satisfaction. Adelaide telegrams, published in the Melbourne Argus, state that the Government propose sending another party to inspect the northern territory, with the view of fixing a new site for the settlement ; and that this site will probably be on the Victoria River. Instructions which have just been issued from the General Post Office state that Clause 74 of the postal regulations has been so far modified as to allow newspapers to be sent from publishing offices in packets, provided they bear the proper amount of postage ; and that the number in each packet and the publisher's name be marked outside. We take the following from the Hokitika Evening Star of the 14th ult : — A. report reached town to-day that traces of mineral black lead, or plumbago, had been discovered in the ranges at the back of the Waimea. This substance is known to exist in various parts of the colony, although the mineral is not found in so. pure, a state as that obtained from the Cumberland mines in England. We trust that we shall be able to lay fuller particulars before our readers in a future issue. The recent murder of four unfortunate special constables by Clarke's gang of bushrangers has bo stirred up popular feeling in New South Wales, that a general cry is raised in favor of abolishing bhe system of military police that was introduced in that colony iv 1862. There are over a thousand police scattered through the colony, and since the above data they have cost the sountry £1,100,000. Yet, during the period that bhe new system has been in force, there has been more bushranging than there ever waa before, jommeucing with Gardener's gang in the very pear in which the military police were first orjanised. The amount of property lost or de(fcroyed by bushrangers is estimated at about 850.000 a year, and very many lives have been lacrificed. • ' As a proof of the exceeding richness of some D&rts of the beach terrace workings, we ( s " West Doaat Times,") may mention that the prospectors (as it is termed) the back Auckland lead are tanguine they will realise from £200 to £300 inch man out of the paddock they are at present imployed in lifting. The washdirt looks really nagnificent, gold being thickly distributed through very part of it. This fortunate party has already tetted over £500 per man, and the claim prooiees to continue equally remunerative for at sast five months longer. Many other rich claims re in work on this lead, which is gradually ring traced southwards to the Arahura, and northwards towards Blake's lead, with which it rill doubtless form & junction.