The Press. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1867.

Press, Volume XI, Issue 1329, 9 February 1867, Page 2

The Press. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1867.

His Excellency the Governor. —Today Sir George Grey will %isit Kaiapoi, where ho will hold a public leveo ; after which he will lay the foundation-stone of the Maori Church, returning to Clirutchurch tho same evening. Temperance Meeting- at Kaiafoi.—The usual monthly meeting of the Temperance Society at this pliice was held in the Wesleyan day schoolroom on Thursday evening last, when there were present a large number of those favorable to the spread of the temperance cause. The meet ing was addressed by Mr It. Mt-rideth, of Woodend, and the Rev. J S. Harper. At the conclusion it was intimated that as a small amount whs required to defray the lighting of the room and other incidental expenses, that contributions in aid from those specially interested would be thankfully receired. Concert. —The Volunteer Concert given last night in the Town Uall was a great success, the hall being filled from end to end witlr the largest audience we ever saw brought together to any concert since it was opened. His Excellency the Governor was present, accompanied by his suite, and we believe also by two or three ot the M.-iori chiefs. The hall was handsomely decorated for tho occasion, and ttie arrangements would have been perfect had it not been for the admission of several babies, whose infantine trebles, united every now and then in a shrill chorus, were anything but agreeable accompaniments, to the singers, and by no means the kind of music tho audience had paid t icir money to hear. At all future concerts the rule of " children in arms not admitted," should be strictly enforced. The concert was almost entirely vocal, the only exceptions being a flute solo by Mr Cracrofc Wilson, and a march, and selections of operatic musiu admir.ibly performed by the Volunteer whose progress under bandmaster Martin has been most striking. The gems of the evening undoubtedly were the two songs, " Cara valle solitaria" and " Roberto oh tv che adoro," both of which were most beautifully sung and enthusiastically encored. Mrs White was nlso twice encored in " II bacio " and one of the fiumerous versions of " Come into the garden, Maud." Mr Carder wao never in better voice than last night, and his performance of '• The Stirrup Cup " won him a hearty encore, a compliment which was also twice paid to Mr Bell, first for " The Image of the Kose," and again for a very pretty air from Donizetti. A duct by Mrs Beechey and Mr Staneell, and one by Mrs Johnson and Mrs Beechey, were also much applauded, and two or three part songs, fairly executed, assisted to complete a very excellent and enjoyable concert. We may add that the Volunteers ought certainly to pass a vote of thanks to the ladies who to good-naturedly and so very efficiently gave their services in accompanying the singers.

Theatre Royal.—There was a crowded house last night to witness a first-rete performance of that sparkling comedy "London Assurance." The audience were enthusiastic in their applause, and ihe enthusiasm seemed to inspire the performers, for we have never seen a piece go better or played from first to last with greater spirit. Miss Gougenheim had just the very character to suit her in Lady G»y Spanker, and she was admirably supported by Miss Jenie Nye, Mr Fawcett and Mr Richardson, a3 Grace, Sir Hurcourt Courtley and Dazzle, while all Ihe other characters found able representatives. In short the play was a thorough success. Tonight we are to have the sensational dr.ima of " East Lynne," founded we presume on the novel of that name, which we have noticed as having a good run in Duuedin, to be followed by the amusing farce of " Keep Your Temper."