CARTERTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 250, 28 August 1879, Page 2

CARTERTON.

[from our own correspondent] August 27. The Opera Company who opened here last night afforded us one of those musical treats that are in country; districts like Angel's visits " Few and far between. Maritana, and the Chelsea Prisoner were the pieces cast for the evening, and though the artists labored under great disadvantages, in not having appropriate scenery, &c, so thoroughly well up were each and all of the performers, that the absence of these adjuncts was hardly noticeable. Madame Le Couteur made a most charm-, ing Maritana. She acts with great spirit' and delicacy ami her voice is of great compass and thoroughly equal to the vocalisation required by the character. The opening air of the "Harp in the Air," and the " Angelus" were very effectively rendered. Mr Florence has a grand tenor voice, and makes a dashing Don Ctesar, admirably pourtraying the careless recklessness of that spendthrift Spanish nobleman. " Let me like a soldier fall" was given with preat spirit, and;he shone in " There is a flower that bloometh" in the duet between himself and the King in the last act, Mrs Florence makes a most delicate Lazarillo, and the duet " Sainted Mother," between Lazarillo and Maritana was most pathetically given and met with unbounded applause. Mr Browning had a somewhat arduous office to fill in the night's performance as he was obliged to duplicate the parts of Don Jose and the King, owing to the indisposition of one of the members of the company, who should have taken the latter role. However, he was thoroughly up to both parts. He has a good bass voice, and gave all the airs appointed to the two characters in firstrate style. The evening concluded with the operetta above named. It is of a somewhat comic nature and seemed to please the audience greatly. Mrs Florence made a most fascinating little sweetheart and gave a pretty little song, "To the Wars with thee Hi go." Browning makes a ime old veteran, andl feel sure all will appreciate the ballad he introduces" Still I love thee," and a laughing song and chorus passed, oil' remarkably well. Mr King's performance at the piano tended in no snail degree to the success of the evening which was one of the most pleasant I have spent since I have been here.

There was a fair attendance of ratepayers last night at the meeting convened m the old Town Hall relative to the Local Board question. Mr Fail-brother on being voted to the Chair, stated that they had been called together, Ist. To consider the late Board's position : 2nd. To take into consideration who would be fit and likely persons to succeed the present Board; 3rd. To discuss the advisability of extending the boundaries of the District. As regarded the financial position of the Board, it appeared that there was a deficit of about £lO3 which arose in tho following manner. Some time a»o arragenients were made with the°town trustees to purchase the Hall. The Board not being at the time in a position to pay for it, but deeming that the purchase wouM be advantageous to the district, entered irio negotiations with the bank for the required amount, but the accommodation then afforded having been called in Mr T. Moore had advanced the money. He was happy to say the Hall was now paying principal and interest, and as soon as the debt was cleared off would produce a revenue which would go to aid the rates. The Chairman then called on any present who were willing to act on the Board, to come forward, stating that his services were at the disposal of the township, and he the mora readily offened them as owing to some error of the late Board no rate had been .struck this year, and beyond the Government subsidy on the rates collected last year, there was very little to spend. Hie debt to Mr Moore been promised to be refunded out of this, and lie hopsd the Board to bo elected would carry out this promise. Messrs (Mister and Vickerstaff who subsequently offered their services) had been with him on the late Board, and he should like to see them again in office. Mr W. Parker also offered to stand, and Mr Joseph Aplin was also proposed. A long discussion ensued on the extension of the boundaries, and it was ultimately resolved that a telegram should be sent to the Colonial Secretary to advise on the legal status of the Board in dealing with the subject. The customary vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. The nomination takes place on the 30th inst,, and the poll, if necessary, on the Ist pros.