THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

West Coast Times, Issue 211, 23 May 1866, Page 2

THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY.

To-morrow being tho annivorsary of tho birth of Hoi 1 Most Gracious Majesty, tho day will bo kopt as a Goncral Holiday. Tho banks will bo closed, and wo prosumo tho Government ofllces, although, more suo, Hokitika authority has not mado any publio intimation to that effect.

Tho loading mercantile houses havo inserted an advertisement, announcing their intention to dose their respective business establish, ments.

Should tho weathor permit, of which thoro is at prosont a fair prospect, tho Bruco will make an oxoursion trip to tho Gtooy, returning by tho samo tido.

Tho Priuco of Walos Thoatro managomont promise a brilliant prograramo. Tho Firo Brigade ball is fixod to como off at tho enginehouso, and wo understand that very oxtonsivo preparations aro b'oing to givo oclat to it. Tlio Buckingham family also announco a ball at tho Shakspearo. A similar ontortniumont is to bo given at tho Star Hotol, Kaniori.

Mr. Saundors, tho Superintendent of Nelson, is at prosont on a visit to Cobdon.

Tho "Otago Timos" says:—" Mr Justico Riohmond will tako both the criminal and civil business at tho sitting of tho Supromo Court, which is to bo commoncod on tho Ist Juno. Mr Justico Chapman is about to visit Molbourno, on urgont privato business, on account of his lato lamentablo beroavoment, and will probably bo nbsont from this colony for fivo or six wpoks."

Yeatorday.MrWHßraokon, tho well-known proprietor of tho Qucenstown Hotol, was arrested on a ohargo of assaulting, early on tho morning of tho samo day, Patrick Connoll, a minor, whilo within Mr Brackon's house, in Rovell-streot. Wo are in possession of a circumstantial Bfatomont of tho full particulars whioh havo led to tho above-montionod painful circumstance j but doom it the most fitting courso to await the ouloial examination that will tako placo, in order 'that tho facts may be placed in an authentic shapo boforo tho publio. Whon wo mention, that directly coniioting statements have beon made of the causes which brought about tho uufortunato fracas — tho ucoossity of leaving tho publio mind unprojudicodin the 'case must bo apparent to all. At a lato hour last night Connoll was alive, but still porfeotly unconscious. Sovoral modieal mon wero in attendanco on him, but without ontortaining any hopes of his living through tho night. Sergeant White was prosont to tako any dying doolaration should suoh bo necessary or practicable.

Tho "Argus" gives tho following list of committnls from Groymouth, for trial at tho approaching session ot tho Supromo Court at Hokitika ! — " Richard Kcenan, Arohibald Cnraoron, William Johns, Antonio Thomas, and Alfred Williams, for larceny ; Thomas Moaghor, assault with intent ; John B. Blaino, larceny as a bailco ; Samuol Cox, assault with violence ; John Solomon, sodomy ; James Reynolds, lnrcony ; Thomas Rcosby, obtaining inonoy by falso protoncos j John Huntor and James 11'Koy, larcony j Samuol Leo. forgery and uttoring."

Thoro was a narrow escape, roports tho "Otago Daily Times," of tho 14th instant, from a groat flro yostorday morning. Tho rogistor-grates iv tho Union Hotel, Stafford street, wore included in a sale whioh took placo thoro a day or two ago j and yostorday, a girl procoodod to light a flro on what was loffc tthonoo ono of tho gratos had beon removed. This was a thin shoot of motal, on boards, oloso to a calico and paper coiling to tho room bolow. Tho result was that the boards wore vory speedily on firo ; and but for a prompt alarm thore would have beon another extensivo firo. ft is almost sickeniug that in wood-built city liko Dunedin, thoro should bo such frequent proofs of tho culpable nogligenco of buildors, in running joists aud oven flooring boards nndor flro plucos j and thoso who allowod a firo to bo mado in such a placo as tho ono whioh led to the alarm yestorday, aro open to censure for vory grato neglect.

At tho Warden's Court yesterday, Mr John Angus, grocor, Itovoll-stroot— the seizure of whosp stock of wines and spirits was detailod in yesfcorday's isauo — appeared to answer to tho charge of selling spirits, wines and beers, without being in possession of a license, in accordanco with tho 10th clause of tho regulations of thoQ-oldfiolds'Act. The evidonco producod on tho occasion boforo Mr Wardon Sohaw was suoh as to raise doubts whethor or not Mr Angus had boon acting from ignorance Tho bonofit of such a doubt was accorded to Mr Angus, the caso being dismissed by tho warden. Tho wholo of the' soizod liquors woro roturnod by tho police.

Tho Brooko Dramatic Club continues to make steady progress in tho rehoarsals for tho forthcoming performance, which is to tako place on tho 80th inst. Wo have boon informed that tho piocos seltotod aro " Tho Rivals," and " Boosts at tho Swan." The procoods of tho performance are to bo dovoted to tho funds of tho Voluntoer Fire Brigade.

Tho Sea of Ico will bo repoated at tho Princo of Walos Theatre this evening.