NEWS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume XVI, Issue 2184, 19 April 1870, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY.

John Avery, of Nelson, fkx-dresser, has applied for letters patent for the exclusive uee of an inveution of an apparatus for the prevention of fire from spontaneous combustion taking place in ships, &c, filled with wool, flax, &c.

A meeting of electors was held at White's Accommodation-house, Courtenaj, on Thursday night, the loth instant, when Colonel de Renzie Brett, Mr Cutler, and others addressed those assembled. Mr Cutler made a rerj able and powerful address, and the proceedings concluded with a unanimous rote of confidence ia Mr Rolleeton.

IHe usual promenade ball took place last ev-ning in the Canterbury Hall, and wae largely attended.

Theunnml meeting of the Kaiapoi Chese Cl'ib, we believe, takes place on Wednesday evening at the institute. This evening the first of tho popular entertainments of this series takes place.

W<« learn from the '" Timaru Herald " that a number of persons in limaruof all chases have formed themselves into a committee to support Mr Rolle-Mon's candidature. There can bo but little doubt a< to the feeling felt in Timaru as regards the. coming contest. It is evident that Mr Moorhou*e'tt popularity, foraierH *o patent, is now almost completely lo«t, and his supporters in I itnuru will number extremely lew. We hear that local committees are also about to be formed for ihn support of Mr Kolloetoii at Tomuku and Waimate.

Although tho chairman of the meeting at Barnard's returned the show of hands as being in furor of Mr i\lo>rhou«\ it appears to be the general opinion of thosn present th'it tho was by far moro favorable to Mr Kolloelon than to tho formor, and that the show of hands was fur in excess against the voto of confi lenco. So far from a iW supporters of Mr Rolleeton, at the back of the meeting, interrupting tho proceedings, it ap peaml to bo very general on the part of those assembled, more eopecially when Mr Moorhouse'* language was directed to personal abuse of Mr Rolleston, when the hootings became 80 deafening as to stop the proceedings on several occasions. Our country readers must not be led away by reports that this mooting was in its results favorable to Mr Moorhouse. So far from this was it, that we should suppose Mr Moorhouee'e eupportere muet be quite satisfied that hie chance of being elected is but very small indeed.

Last evening a meeting of Mr Moorhouse's supporters, which had been advertised as a committee meeting, was held at the Sawyer's Arms, Papanui, and at which about seventy persons were present, Mr O'Calkghan in the chair. Mr Moorhouse was present and addressed the meeting, recapitulating what he had previously said in Christchurch, and dwelling particularly on the fact that there was not another man in the province tjjat could boast of having done bo much ds himeelf. In reply to questions, Mr Mcorhouse said if he was elected he would ratain the office for four years unless the Provinciul Council requested his removal. Aβ to .expenditure of public money, although he intended to bo the leader, he would abide by the decision of the Prorinpul Council. He proposed to obtain the money for radw-iys North and South by a guarantee from the General Government for a loan. He thought it would be beat to send to England for rolling stojk for the railways. Mr A C .Knight, who spoke at some length on immigration, moved " That Mr Moorhouee was a fit and proper person to be Superintendent." ' This having been seconded by Mr Toraba, of Papanui, was, on a show of hands being called for, declared by the chairman to be carried. The meeting then terminated.

Mr George Cotterell gave last night at the Town Hall the first of hie Drawing Room Entertainments to a very fashionable audienoe. It is no easy matter for a gentleman, unassisted by extraneous aids, to present an entertainment which will amuse an audience for upwards of two houre, but this M l, Ootterell succeeded in accomplishing last night. The pourtrayale of character he presented were not mere travesties, but actual delineations, and two of these wcro so good ac to be deserving of special notice. Professor Fidget, " a University lecturer on Signs, Symbols, Fates, and Figures, Faces and Brains," was an admirable illustration of that class of beings who by a hesitation of words and manner combined with ah! and hum ! attempt to conceal a depth of ignorance under the semblance of a profundity of knowledge. In strong contrast to this was the character of Horr Yon Prozy, a lecturer on mystery —a gentleman whose oration consisted of a river of words containing but a drop of sense. There was also another character — Lady Clara Trimbleton—an antiquated dame who, affecting juvenile aira, relaf.ee some of the scenes of her early youth. We have chosen to enumerate these three characters because their marked difference only serves to display the versatility of Mr Cotterell's talent ; and we are satisfied that those who may visit his entertainments will be delighted with his humour, wit, and mirth, divested as it is of all vulgarity.

The Theatre Boyal was crowded from floor to ceiling lust evening. The pieces produced were "Time Tries All" and Byron's classical burlesque extravaganza of " Orpheus and Eurydice." In the first piece, Alias Cassy Matthews, as Laura Leeson, the heroine of the drama, played with great spirit and pathos, the change in her feelings towards Matthew Bates (Mr Wolfe) being admirably pourtrayed. Mr Wolfe, as Matthew Bates, aleo gave a very truthful representation of the character. The other parta were very creditably sustained. The burlesque wad a decided success, the dresses being appropriate, and the scenery first-rate. It is full of sparkling puns, and excellent musio. Aβ Orpheus, Mies Forde achieved a signal triumph, her singing and acting being first-class, and she was ably supported by Miss Nye as Eurydice, who sang the mueic allotted to her in her usual style. Several duets and concerted pieces were sung by these two ladies splendidly; but the gem of the evening was decidedly their rendering of that favorite duet *' What are the Wild Waves eaying," which was sung in a manner richly deserving the enthusiastic applause which it evoked. The fine old catch " A boat, a boat, haste to the ferry," was also given very nicely. Aβ Proserpine, the shrewish queen of Plalo, Mies Mathews both looked and acted the part to the life; her make up and dress being alike correct. As Apollo, Miss Herberte deserves great credit for her careful acting and good make up. Mr M. Forde, in the character of Clotilda was intensely funny, and a local song sang by by him contained some excellent hits on the present election contest. Aβ Pluto, Mr White was extremely good, and the subordinate parts were extremely well sustained. Mr Willie deserves every credit for the really excellent scenery painted for this burlesque ; the vineyard and cottage of Orpheus, and a view of Charon's ferry over the Styx being exceedingly good ; the scene with which the burlesque concludes is also a very gorgeous one. The management deserve every credit for the very careful manner in which the burlesque has been mounted and put upon the etage, and we predict a highly successful run for it. The same pieces will be repeated this evening.

On Good Friday the anniversary tea-meeting of the Mandevilie VTcelevan Chapel took plaoe. The day bfing fine thore wa< a coneouree of persons to t-vi, and about 120 was the number who attended the public , meeting nfrerwards. Tea was provide i by Mesdomes BrHlry, "W'litf, Clist, Atkinson there being besi ie a bachelors' triy. lhe public meeting w*s addresjcl by tlie R-'. H. S. Bunn nnd W. 11. P>erk. bo*i Iμ M-e«r* Qraiiam, Hall, and White. The c!:ipel secretary reportetl t!iat the balance from ycir w:is £11 17* ; the proceed)* of the present tea, JL'S Hi, which, for the erection of a porch, painting, fee , £2<> was to be paid. The meeting, which was a very enjoyable one, separated at 0 30 p m.

A private letter to a gentleman in Punedin jays thit the pe'ition sent by tin , tvhite settle-* of Fiji to the United SrVes Grovc-rtiment in August last, has been taken up warmly in Sun Francisco, and that intluential people (lien* urged it upon tho notice of ♦•he Government at Washington. Also, that the .'irst result of this movement was tliu expected dispatch of the United States steamer Pooahontad to Fiji, and that was groat likelihood of the American tUg being seen hoisted in that group. The writer, who is well acquainted with Fiji, ad 1* that if the United s "tates Government desire to take possession they would not only be warmly supported by all nationalities in the Islands, but have it in their power at any moment to eeize Na Iroga, one of the finest harbors in the group. They have a lien over this and the whole of the a<|j icent country to cover damages done to a United States citizen, whose plantation was destroyed by the natives in 18fiy, and whose damages were assessed at £10,000 by the Court held on board the United Statee steamer Jamestown at Levuka in November last. Nadroga is out of the jurisdiction of Thakombau. The chief of the district asserts his independence, and Thakombau declined responsibility <"or his acts on the occasion in question. The letter adds that Nadroga once in possession of the Americans, the rest of the group would full to them aa a matter of course.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT. CiiuiSTCiiracn —April 18. [Before C. C. Bjwen, E?q., R.M., T. W Maude, E?q , G llarr, K?q., and R. Wil kin, Esq., J. P.'s.]

Laucexy—Charles Pay no was brought up in custody, charged with stealing money from Mr Acland'e station, near Tururu. On the application of tho police, the prisoner wai reminted to Tiuiatu, to be brought up there on tho 2l*t instant.

PhrNKKNNESS— Jumps \fcCmn, drunk and inrup'ible ; dismissed with a caution. John Connop, drank and disorderly ; discharged with a cnution. George Long, drunk and disorderly ; convicted and fined 20s, ami ordered to pay cab hire ; locked up for 48 hours in default.

AS9AULT —William Page and Chnrles Jones were charged with violently assaulting Thomas Holmes at Uncle Tom's in Colombo street. Tho following evidence was taken—J. W. S. Coward, sworn—l examined Holmes on Saturday night. He had a wound on tho scalp and a wound on tho face. I had to sew up the latter wound. He seemed very much injured, but is going on well now. The wounds appeared to have been inflicted by brick*. Philip Thoreau, constable of police, deposed — I was called iv to Uncle Tom's on Saturday night. I saw Holmes lying insensible in a pool of blood. I arrested both prisoners Thos Holmes, sworn—l am a farmer at Leeston. I went into Uncle Tom's on Saturday night between ten and eleven o'clock. I went in to have somo refreshment. I sat down. The two prisoners followed mc cloi»o in. I had never seen them before. Pago commenced to abuse mc. I did not answer him. He then struck mo, and tho two of them pulled mc out by tho hair on to tho floor and kicked mc about the head and face. I was rendered insensible from tbe blows. I gave neither of the prisonors any provocation. Ellen Thompson, at Uncle Tom's, wtated that she heard a noiso down stairs, and when she went down prisoner Page was abusing Holmes. He then struck Holmes, and immediately aftorwards both prisoners dragged him out by tho hair and kicked him on the head and face, saying that they would kill him. Richard Barrett proved that the prisoners assaulted Holmes without receiving any provocation, and that he went out for the police On his return the prisoners were kicking Holmes on the head and face while he was lying on the floor in a pool of blood insensible. In defence the prisoners made a rumbling statement to the effect that they had bejn robbed. The Resident Magistrate sentenced both prisoners to two months' imprisonment with hard labor, and ordored them to pay casts amounting to £3. Lyttelton—April It.;. [Before W. Donald, Esq., R.M.] DaUNK AND DISOBDEULY—Thomas Henry was brought up charged with being drunk and disorderly on board the Indus. Dismissed with a caution. Rangioea—April 14. [Before G. L. Mellish, Esq, R.M.] Civil Cases—The following civil oases were set down for hearing :—Thomas Thompson and Co t James Boys, £IA 3s 3d ; judgment for plaintiff by default for amount claimed. Slaughtebhousb Licences — Slaughterhouse licenses were granted to James Luiton and James Kinley, both of Rangiora.