THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1877.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2644, 29 June 1877, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M Resurrexi. FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1877.

Licensed victuallers may be reminded that unless their fees be paid to the Collector of Customs by noon to-morrow they will forfeit their licenses. Some hare been holding back their money in the hope that a reduction would be made in the fee, but- judging by the result of a recent interview of Auckland licensed victuallers with, the Hon. Dr. Pollen the case seems hopeless. When once the Borough gets possession of the money there will be little chance of any being returned. Licensed victuallers must look to the Legislature for redress. The only business for disposal at the E.M. this morning was a charge against Albert Spencer'—a little boy of about 12 —for allowing his horse to wander on the Parawai road on the 24th inst. Defendant, having mounted a form in front of the Bench, in a very business-like manner pleaded guilty. On being asked by Capt, Eraser he said the horse was his own — not his father's, and that it had opened a gate and thereby got out. The defendant was fined 2s 6d and costs. We learn that Mr Plant has bought privately the central dispensary, Mary street, which was submitted to auction the other day but not sold, and that he intends removing his business. Mr Plant has hitherto carried on the business of chemist and druggist in the adjoining premises. Messbs Baiter and Farron, character comedians, will give an entertainment at the Academy of Music this evening consisting of scenes from the American drama " Lisa Eccles," and introducing a number of their clever Dutch and Irish impersonations, with characteristic songs and dances. The performances of these artistes in Auckland have been very highly eulogised. We have been shown by Mr W. Constant of the Camden Hotel, Shortland, an ingenious little contrivance recently patented by Messrs Alcock and Co., the billiard-table and implement makers. The instrument is for fixing and squaring the tips of billiard cues. To effect this the cue is inserted in a long cylindrical tube and screwed tight and the tip being placed at the end of the cue, a thumb screw at the end of the instrument is screwed down which presses the tip firmly on the end of the cue. The instrument can also be" used for squaring the ends of cues, it being provided with cutters for that purpose. Thebe were numerous complaints amongst the audience at the Academy of Music last night about the habit of smoking, so freely indulged in by frequenters of the pit. This nuisance is much more seriously felt on such an occasion as last night, when the house is well filled, than at ordinary times. It shows an utter want of consideration ;on I the part of smokers for the feelings of others, but it will continue to be indulged in so long as lessees or managers, or the I promoters of amateur entertainments permit the practice to go unchallenged. It is a matter of surprise that ladies are able to sing at all with clouds of tobacco.smoke driving down upon them from the; pit; and we know that it keeps many ladies from attending (he theatre as often as they would if they could do so without being compelled to inhale for a couple of hours the fumes of tobacco from dozens of pipes. Many men who would willingly refrain from smoking if it were " strictly prohibited," have to resort to their pipes in self-defence when they go to the pit. Besides being a nuisance, the habit is a dangerous one> aud is calculated to in-

crease the fire risks of buildings in the neighborhood of places of entertainment ; so that there should be a determined effort made to put down the habit of smoking in theatres. Mr Leydon wishes attention to be called,to his great sale of produce, poultry and miscellaneous goods, to-morrow, at the mart, late Scotia Hotel, at 11 o'clock. We would call the attention of shareholders in the rimile of Fortune (Owharoa), to the meeting of the company called for this evening at 7 o'clock at the manager's office, Queen street. The business to be considered is to confirm the action of the directors re the purchasing and leasing of the Gwharoa battery, &c The want of an usher to show ladies to their seats at the Academy of Music last night was much felt, and some surprise was expressed that the gallant gentleman who usually fills this position so perfectly was content to accept the' minor office of distributing programmes at the doors, when his polite services weVe much needed in the other direction. From the theatrical article in the New Zealand Sun of the 21st instant we learn that the Georgia Minstrels in their second week at Christchurch were still drawing large houses.—Mr J. L. Hall's company were to re-open the Gaiety Theatre on last Monday, the re-appearance of Mrs Hall and the first appearance of Miss Lizzie Morgan being billed as features of the new season. At the conclusion of the G-eorgias' season at the Christchurch Theatre Koyal Mr and Mrs Hoskins were to re-open with " The Two Orphans," having got together a strong company.—lt is reported that Mr George Darrell has been disappointed in Australia, in not having succeeded in making terms with managers in Sydney or Melbourne. Mb W. W. Robinson left by the Rotomahana for Auckland to-day. He said "good-bye" to many of his numerous friends last night, but there were some to see him off and wish him good luck. We sincerely trust that he will succeed in his new venture. 1 He is succeeded in his business here by Mr T. Lawless, who is well known, and will no doubt be able to preserve the old connection. Wednesday night was about the coldest we have had this winter, the frost being very severe. Some water which was exposed in a tin dish was frozen to an inch and three quarters in thickness, and the ground was covered with white frost. In sheltered situations water was covered with a thin crust of ice, and the thermometer was down to 27°, or 5° below freezing point. It is reported that a well-known military resident of Thames County, who has recently been elected presiding officer of one of our most influential friendly societies, is about to be deposed. We shall regret to hear that the report is true, as the gallant gentleman evidently attached great importance to the dignity conferred upon him, and assumed all the airs that a newly made corporal might be supposed to have.