VICTORIA.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3461, 28 January 1880, Page 2

VICTORIA.

The Government have been much : ridiculed for prohibiting the pertormance at the Academy of Music of a political burlesque titled " Happy," where* it was intended to represent the several principal characters as memb rs of the Ministry. On the day of the performance the Argus and Age published the text of the piece, *T when the public were surprised to find the - satire unobjectionable. This display of . theatrical censorship evoked much feeling. The management of the theatre offered to

" cut." anything the Government disliked rather than hHow Berry his own eulogies, but he declined to permit the production of anything but the original version of '• Happy Land." The theatre was crowded on the. first night. The actors ingeniously evaded the prohibition by going as near the original text as possible, pointing to the omission the remark, "that is prohibited publication." The text greatly helped them. It is believed Berry intends to cancel the license of the theatre; if so there is certain to be a party discussion in Parliament. .. Uneasiness is felt for cases of poisoning from colonial beer. One man is dead from the effects, and others have recovered. It is alleged he exhibited symptoms of poisoning by strychnine. The cases all occurred within about a week of each other. It is believed poison results from not properly cleansing the bottles. •

A singular tragedy : occurred at Sunbury. A married man named Benjley was twice detected by his wife trying to outrage his young daughter. When he was arrested he cut his throat. A trooper going for medical assistance fractured his skull. ■„,.'■■.■ The Minister of Lands states that* selectors owe £38&tiOO rent. :

The Irish-Relief Fund amounts to about £9000.

Childers telegraphs that he has good hope to obtain the consent of the Imperial Government to carry the mail via Brindisi at Southampton.