The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1868.

Southland Times, Issue 891, 31 January 1868, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1868.

Our Campbelltown correspondent, under date, 30th Jan., writes: — The success that has attended the Penny Readings in this town is beyond expectation. The meeting last night was the most approved of aIL The combination of vocal and instrumental music with select readings from standard works perfected the entertainment. The attendance was large, and the satisfaction of the audience most marked. The programme was well drawn, extensive and varied, embracing the following, viz : — Piano — Solo, Q-lee — "Massa in the cold cold gronnd. ' Beading — " How the Victoria Cross was won." Song— "Ah! death in thee," from II Trovatore. Beading—" The Blind Highland boy." Duett— " All's well." Piano-solo. Readings from the " Merchant of Venice," and "Ingoldsby Legends." Ql ee "Thou, thou, in my heart dwellest." Reading — "The bad boy who did not come to grief." Song— " One-horae shay." Reading— " Number one hundred and eighty six." Piano. • Glee — " The Norse national song." The introduction of vocal music into these meetings has proved a great success. This want was felt from the very first and now I have much pleasure in stating that several gentlemen have kindly taken the matter up and will do their best to secure the continuation of the entertainments. From the sample they have given the last two nights, is evidence that with practice they will be first clase. The next readings will take place on Wednesday evening sth February. A New Zealand Punch has been started in Dunedin. The following notice of it appears in the Daily Times. We have not yet received a copy. It says : — " Punch has again made its appearance in Otago, and this time in very creditable guise. The paper is well printed, and the illustrations excellently designed. There is also attached a very well-executed pho tographic caricature. As we presume it will secure a very extensive circulation, we forbear from further comment, beyond wishing our young brother of the Press success." The Southern Steam Navigation Company appears to have come to grief. At a meeting held on Wednesday, the 22nd January, it was resolved—" That an extraordinary general meeting of the Company be convened for Saturday, the 22nd February, for considering special resolutions for requiring the company to be wound up voluntarily. The Panama Star and Herald of the 24th Dec, has the following: — "Mr and Mrs J. Heine, the distinguished blind violinist, and his lady, the eminent pianist, arrived in this city per s.s. Golden City, from California, en route to Pern, and have, we are pleased to state, consented to give a musical entertainment, on Wednesday evening, in the Grand Hotel, Mr Hiene is a true artist, who, by his unexcelled talent has gained a world wide reputation. He has travelled through the United States, Europe, and Australia, and in every place where he has performed the Press have bestowed the highest enconiums on his genius. Referring to one of his recent performances in San Francisco, the Bulletin says : — " Mr Heine is a master of the violin. His style is scrupulously classical. He evokes the most exquisite harmonies from his instrument — now causing it to wail with sorrow, now to thrill with the ecstacy of joy. The first note revealed the true artist, and took the sympathies of the audience captive. The last piece, more especially, executed on a single string, was a wonderful piece of instrumentation. M. Heine was frequently interrupted by bursts of applause, and we believe, in every instance encored. Madame Heine is an accomplished pianist, and plays with a firmness jet delicacy of touch quite remarkable." Fhe Daily Times, 23rd January, says : — " We have been favored by the Solicitor-General with the inspection of a telegram received from the Colonial Secretary, in which it is stated, that the Duke of Edinburgh has announced he will I positively visit Otago. He has signified bis willingness to open the Chriatchurch Tunnel, and also desires it to be intimated, in response to the invitation sent him by the Caledonian Society of Dunedin, that he will have pleasure in being present at its gathering."