MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2781, 10 May 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

MELBOURNE GOSSIP.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Melbourne, March 8. In order to afford country visitors an opportunity of witnessing Mr Charles Warner in what is considered his most powerful impersonation, the management of the Theatre Royal have revived Charles Road's famous temperance drama, " Drink." In the character of" Coiipean," Mr Warnor is nightly exhibiting to crowdod houses the truth of the Latin proverb, " Faeilis est descensus Averni,' 1 ' especially when the directing power is brandy. "La Tosoa" has been withdrawn from the Princess Theatro, whero tho great J. L. Toolo now exhibits his marvellous ability as a comedian; and there is littlo doubt that during his season in Melbourne, which, according to the arrangements entered into for his appearance in the other colonies, must be a short one, tho house will be packed nightly. "Robbery Under Arms" continues tho attraction at the Alexandra, Tho now Bijou Theatre has been opened under the management of Messrs Brough and Boucicault, and the splendid company with which they havo surrounded themselves. Thoy are playing in Lord Lytton's comedy, "Money." A new hall, called tho Gaiety, in Bourke-street, has been opened by the comic singer, Harry Rickards. The Sioaria Hall is closed, but the Osgill Brothers are as popular as ever at St. George's Hall.

In presiding at the thirteenth annual meeting of the City of Melbourne Building Society last Wednesday, the Hon. Alfred Deakin had an easy task before him. Notwithstanding the trying circumstances against which all financial institutions had to contend during the last year, Mr Deakin had to tell the shareholders that the directors recommended that all investing shares be oredited with 8 per cent, interest and a 2 per cent, bonus, and fixed shares with 10 per cent, interest, payable in cash. The sum of £16,893 5s would be thus absorbed, leaving a balance of £676 14s Id to be carried forward. Of the profits thus made the sum of £6,166 3s 3d had been already paid as an interim dividend last half year. The steady progress made by the Society is shown by the figures given bolow; — Investor's capital Deposits Securities 1881. £14,029 £14,7-26 £20,168 1890. £177,431 £323,982 £483.787

Iu the course of his remarks, Mr Deakin pointed out that the deposits had inoreaaed by £60,000, and the advances on securities by £45,000, during the last twelve months, which affords evidence of the esteem in which the Society is held by the public. It was quite in tho order of things that a meeting of such a satisfactory character should not be allowed to close without an expression from the shareholders of their appreciation of the excellent management of their officers; and Mr C. I. Richardson, the manager, was warmly complimented upon the indefatigaSle zeal and watchfulness ho had exercised in the conduct of their affairs. In alluding to the efficiency of his staff, the manager said that the work was increasing; thoy had now 1,154 shareholders ; 1,452 depositors; and 928 borrowers.

Mr Alderman Leoa, of Sydney, must bo a very pompous as well as a very selfish person. It is known that the Municipal Corporation of that capital have built a very splendid hall, and tbat thoy have bought a magnificent organ to adorn it— one of tho largest instruments in the world, in fact. It also says a great deal for their musical taato that thuy have ongaged the services of one of England's greatest organists to inaugurate tho instrument. So far, so good, Mr Best has arrived in Australiti, but tho great organ is not ready lor him, and will not be ready for two month''. Nevertheless, ho has received an intimation, and the name of Mr Alderman Lees has been mentioned in connection with it, that if he ventures to play in any colony before he has opened the Sydney organ, Iris engagement will be cancelled. I don't know what Mr Best may happen to think about Mr Lees, and those who support him, but I believe that we would find it difficult to match such a contemptible proceeding, even in Melbourne where some strange things are done occasionally. Well; we would like to hear Mr Best play upon our small organ—only we must wait until Alderman Lees has done with him.