DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 332, 21 February 1874, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

{From our ovm Correspondent^

The very generally-expressed opinion^ in connection with the release of Sullivan is oliWr what might have been expected, and the Government must certainly feel that it has pursued a very questionable course in again letting loose upon society such an inhuman wretch as he has proved himself to be. His release has been the general subject of conversation for the past few days, and the indignation which many people feel at the whole proceeding knows no bounds. Notwithstanding the fact that mr consequence of his being turned adrift at Auckland, we shall be saddled with his -obnoxious presence in this colony, it is gratifying to know that the spirit of common fairness is sufficiently strong in our community to induce people to feel glad that the Government have beenfruflteated 4n -their -attempt -to foist

this notorious-criminal upon another nation. No excuse whatever can be made for Buch an unjustifiable and cowardly method of meeting a difficulty which ought not to have puzzled tho brains of some men for one moment. Sullivan's petitions of rcalease should never hove been listened to for one moment ; and 1 0 gofurther,morebver,he should never have been allowed to petition at all. He has evidently had latitude extended to him while serving his sentence in Dunedin Gaol, tofally incom° patable with the enormity of the offence of which he was found guilty and sentenced ; and there can be but one opinion, that the final act in the drama of his life, so far as it has at present gone, is an outrage upon justice and public opinion, which admits of no reasonable explanation. What the sequel will be, time will show.

A well-filled house downstairs, with the usual rather scanty dress circle attendance, greeted the Claus and Rekel concert troupe on their first appearance at the Princess' Theatre last evening. The great attraction of the evening was, of course, the lady violinist, Mdlle. Jenny Claus, and she certainly did not disappoint those who went anticipating a musical treat of no ordinary nature. The lady is of rather diminutive stature, and appears dressed in white, with arms bare to the shoulder, thus giving herself the fullest freedom in the manipulation of the bow. She is really an exquisite player, and the novelty of seeing a lady with the bow in her hand, and with her whole soul evidently thrown into the delightful m".sic which comes af her will, is charming, The conclusion of her first solo was the signal for an universal and prolonged burst of applause, and I need hardly say* that this was repeated on each occasion that she came before the audience. Beyond the playing of Mdlle. Claus, the entertainment is only of a mediocre class, and is not one that will take in Dunedin for many nights, especially in view of the fact that the English Opera Company will shortly be amongst us, tho Opera being an entertainment which all classes seem to consider it imperative to attend. The Princess' Theatre has also been taken for the performance of the Opera Company, who are to open about the 9th March.

Rumors of some unusual disturbance on board the Mongol, at anchor near the Quarantine Ground, were afloat in town to-day, the particulars to hand being that there had been a heavy drinking bout among the crew, wno it was said had broached the cargo. The police boat was signalled for, and she went off to the steamer, and brought ashore one man, who was in a state bordering on madness, through the effects of excessive drinking. Not a few persons in town were gratified at learning to-day that the reported death of Mr. Eastwood, who has been an inmate of your Hospital by reason of the accident which lie sustained, is incorrect. The intimation of his death being published in one of the daily papers this morning, was given general credence to jmtil this afternoon, when a contradictory telegram was received.