AUCKLAND GOSSIP

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XII, Issue 1525, 28 April 1883, Page 2

AUCKLAND GOSSIP

(from our own correspondent.)

Thursday Evening. It is not often that people in this Colony are afforded an opportunity of enjoying anything remarkably good in tho dramatic line, but an exception to the rule is affordod by the company at present playing in the Opera House. Miss Jennie Loe is the star, and she appears in the character of "Jo" in a specially dramatised version of Bleak House. The impersonation is so wonderfully realistic and pathetic that almost every lady in the building gives way to tears ; sobs are heard in every direction, and some of tho gentler sex are frequently compelled to retire to the dressing-room owing to their emotion. This is successful acting, with a vengeance.

Multitudes of petty thefts have been reported to the police daily for some time past, and for a long time nothing could be discovered concerning the perpetrators. They have, at last, been captured, in the form of four whimpering little boys, but for real villainy they stand unparalleled. For months they have been getting through bedroom windows and looting houses whilo the occupants were inside, clearing yards of every description of goods that could be discovered, and storing the produce of their pilfering propensities under the

houses of one of the gang. They have now been - "run in," but the police are soft-hearted, and will only charge them with petty larceny. Our larrikins are still giving the Salvation Army a tiriie;. They; attended tne meeting on Tuesday flight, and iri a 1 .b'ddy ."held up; their hands for Christ, H amidst scream's" o¥ laughter and jeers- The scene was 1 a 1 moist discreditable one, and must have shocked even those who lay no claim to religious sensibility. The profanity and obscene jests used by these lads during the course of what is otherwise a most serious service is really shocking, but the police are now about to take steps to abate the evil.

There was an amusing scene at a marriage in Newmarket several days ago. At the last moment, the prospective bride wanted to gain some point from i.jr future hubby, and he would not consent. At the altar the bride point blank refused to allow the knot to be tied, and the ceremony was postponed sine die. Seemg 1 there was no other means of conciliating his loved one, the poor fellow gave way, and the marriage took place on the following day. *■