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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2618, 30 May 1877, Page 2

Ouk telegrams inform us that there was an unrehearsed scene at the Theatre Royal, Auckland, last night, in which the Davenport Brothers played ignoble parts. They refused to be tied by the Mayor and Mr Hesketh, on the ground that the tying was brutal, although a medical gentleman who examined the knots averred that they were loose. The Davenports have been successfully tied before, but we do not remember to have heard of a single instance where there was such small ground of complaint as on last nightThey were bound by two gentlemen not supposed to be au fait at knot-tying^ but who hifc upon a torn fool's knot, and this seems to have been too much for the Davenports, who complained of " brutality," and were signally discomfited, having to retire from the stage. A gentleman who was present at the Theatre informs us that there was an indescribable scene of confusion, the 1 Davenports being hissed and hooted, and many people demanding their money back. Professor Fay's offer to be tied the same as the Davenports had been was disregarded, and it was some, time before the temper of— the audience would permit of the performance proceeding. Ultimately, however, order was restored, and Messrs Fay and Davies gave their portions of the entertainment, the former in his dark seance being highly successful. The conduct of the Davenports appears to have disgusted their own associates, for Mr Fay and Mr Davies have severed their connection with them, and as the former has travelled with the Brothers for years their conduct last night must have been most reprehensible to have caused him to cut tbe connection so loDg existing, The Auckland people seem to be laying themselves but for this kind of thing. They have lately exposed the hollowness of the pretensions .of a so-called " trance medium;" now they have gained a signal advantage over two men who have for years mystified people with feats which depend for success upon the manual dexterity with which they- can free themselves from ropes and slip into them again. Such, at least, is the theory regarding rope tying feats, and it is borne out in the case of the Davenports, we are assured, in that they have very small hands and large wrists, and a wonderful facility, acquired by long practice,, of expanding and contracting their muscles. After their discomfiture in Auckland last night they will scarcely attempt to " show" themselves there again.

There was a clean sheet at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning. ■

We would renaiud readers, especially those who have not yet soon the Hibernica, that this deservedly popular entertainment will be given tor the last time to-night, the occasion being a joint benefit for Messrs Dan Howard and Harry Nicholson, whose eccentiicities in the comedy accompanying the Hibernica panorama have contributed so much to its success. We hope to see a good house on the occasion, as both gentlemen are very clever, and have shown a desire to please their audiences.

A mob of cattle, landed from the Bot> mahana yesterday, on being driven through the streets got on to the wooden footpath, and the latter was damaged in several places. It is a wonder that some of the cattle did not get injured.

The proceedings of the Native Lands Court were interrupted for some time this morning by the vagaries of an ancient Chieftess whose love of strong drink and numerous peccadilloes have made her notorious in tho district. She was to-day evidently suffering from spirit influence, and being obstructive she had to be removed by a policeman, but not before she had been guilty of contempt of court in the exhibition of unseemly conduct.

We are desired to state that in consequence of the contretemps at the Theatre Koyal, Auckland, last night, Messrs Fay and .Davies have separated themselves from the Davenport Brothers, and the opening night of their entertainment is postponed till Friday, when Professor Fay and Mr E. D. Davies will appear in their several specialities.

We (Auckland Star) are glad to learn that Sir George, Grey's health is rapidly improving, and that he is determined to be in his place in Parliament neit session in spite of all obstacles. One gentleman who saw him lately came away with the impression that Sir George Grey was resolved to go to Wellington, even if he had to be carried on board the steamer.

The Government has awarded £15 to Messrs Norgrove and Kirk, and £5 each to Messrs Fitzpatrick, Medger, and Kay, of Ngaruawahia, who assisted in the capture of Te Patui. Sergeant Higginson, who also rendered valuable aid, has been promoted by the Volunteer Cavalry to the rank of Sergeant-Major, but his services have not been substantially recognised by the Government.

We understand that the Inspector of Miners' Eights (Mr Mcllhone), accompanied by several Natives, was engaged all this forenoon in a tour of inspection over a portion of the goldfield, and that notwithstanding the notice that was previously given, about twentypersons will have to appear before the Warden next week for not being possessed of nriners' rights.

Eaei. Dudley,"the wealthy owner of coal mines, is famous for his leviathan bets. The latest is given by a Canadian paper: "It is said that Earl Dudley of England, who is 60 years old, has offered to bet 25,000 dpi to 25d0l that the son of Napoleon 111. will be officially proclaimed Emperor of France during the Earl's lifetime, and that the odds were at once accepted by the Prince of Wales and by three other persons."

The following district order has been issued, which, it will be seen, refers in flattering terms to the Volunteers for their excellent attendance and conduct on Queen's Birthday:—" District Order.— Militia and Volunteer Office, Shortland, 25th May, 1877."—1. Officers commanding corps are requested to compliment the members of their corps who attended parade yesterday, for their general attention to the orders issued previous to parade; also for the large attendance at Government and company paraSes most of them have given during the last Volunteer year, to which may be attributed the success of yesterday's moTements.- 2. Officers commanding corps will impress on the members of their corps the importance of filling up vacancies at an early period, as recruits now joining will be in a good position to earn capitation allowances for the present year. 3. All transfers must be notified to this office on or before the last day of each month, and care taken to record the dates on which recruits are sworn in.—l. E. Coopeb, Major Commanding Thames District."

In seconding the adoption of the report of that important and successful English Life Assurance Company—the Gresham —Mr E. Solly, F.R.S., incidentally gare some account of the excavations for the new building in course of erection for the company. He said:—" An army of housebreakers Having pulled down the old houses, a gang of navvies were set to work in digging tne foundations, and in watching the progress of these works the history of England for 2000 years was exposed. There were many curious records from the time of Queen Anne, and evidences of remoter periods, of the great fire of 1666; traces of the water-works which supplied the ponds, of t?ae nobility and gentry who lived at Bucklesbury ; relics of the period of the Plantagenet kings ; earlier still, a carved' scandal of the noble Roman; and descending lower still in the excdvalions, there are indications of the true old British race, when the wild boar, deer, and the goat inhabited the fens of Finsbury. Between 6000 and 70C3 waggon loads had to be carted away, and not till the men came to a stratum of clay that "they were able to begin the foundation of the new office of the Gresham."

' Thoughtless Man. —On the first night of the new piece, a pretty young actress advanced to the front of the stage, flaunting in an exquisite new costume. "That must have cost 3.CCO francs!" said audibly a lady who sat with her husband in the*front row. "No, no; only 2,500," he said mechanically. Then he found her eye fixed on him, and was silent.—Paris paper. ,