CABLE NEWS. [BY ELECTKIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.]

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 48, 25 August 1905, Page 5

CABLE NEWS . [BY ELECTKIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT.]

» AUSTRALIAN NEWS. o QUEENSLAND AND THE COMMONWEALTH. SUGGESTED SECESSION. [press association.] (Received August 25, 9.44 a.m.) BRISBANE, This Day. In the Assembly, Mr. Plunket gave notico of his intention to move a motion, asking if the Government will take steps to bring about the secession of Queensland from the Commonwealth. -* WEST AUSTRALIAN POLITICS. PERSONNEL OF THE NEW MINISTRY. PERTH, This Day. The following members comprise the new Ministry : — Premier, Treasurer, and Minister of Lands, Mr. Rason. Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Mr, Moor. Minister of Public Works, Mr Wilson. Minister of Commerce and Labour, Dr. Hicks. Colonial Secretary and Minister of Education, Mr. Kings will. Minister of Mines and Railways, Mr. Gregory. Honorary Minister, Mr. Moss. There is some talk of Mr. Daglish, the late Premier, moving a "sudden death" resolution when the House meets on Tuesday. QUEENSLAND WHITE PINE. BRISBANE, This Day. The Government Dairy Expert reports having made exhaustive tests to disprove the statement that Queensland white pine is unsuitable for butter boxes. / STREET SLUMS. SYDNEY, This Day. The Lord Mayor proposes the resumption of Wexford and Goulburn-streets slums at a cost of £40,000. COLLIERY DISPUTE SETTLED. SYDNEY, This Day. The long-standing disputes between the' Helburn and Pelaw Main colleries have been settled. The men return to work pending a voluntary arbitration. PTOMAINE POISONING. ADELAIDE, This day. Forty students at the Roseworthy College are suffering from ptomaine poisoning, caused, it is supposed, by eating corned beef. RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN ' SCHOOLS. MELBOURNE, This Day. The Legislative Assembly rejected a motion providing for scripture reading, prayers and hymns in State schools. A LIBEL ACTION. (Received August 25, 10.10 a.m.) PERTH, T-his Day. Mr. Daglish, cx-Preiniei^ has issued a writ against the newspaper Kilgoorlie Sun in connection with an article charging him with alleged corruption. ONIONS AND POTATOES. SYDNEY, This Day. The reduced consumption of potatoes and onions is causing a, &light easing of prices. [A cable message from Melbourne, published last, week, stated that some stir had been caused in produce circles by, a report that the abnormally high price of onions was duo to a "corner" by a small syndicate, which comprised a member of the State Government and one prominent supporter of the Government in Parliament. Last j'ear at this time onions were about £2 a ton; on Friday last they reached £25 a ton, and were expected to reach £30. The syndicate was re ported to have bought up all the onions in Victoria at from £6 to £7 per ton. The Premier and Minister for Agriculture denied having any connection with the syndicate, and said they did not believe that one of their colleagues was connected with it.] A BEER WAR. SYDNEY, 24th August Some time ago, as brewers raised tho price of beer, a number of publicans started a. co-operative brewery, and secured a support which resulted in tho lowering of prices. The subsequent battle about the price of beer brought its value down ■to 57s 6d per hogshead. The secretary of the Brewers' Association has declared lhat before the battle ends beer will be sold at a penny per glass. A MUSIC-TURNING DEVICE. SYDNEY, 24th August. At the Town Hall organ recital the city organist tried with success a new mechanical music-turning device, the invention of a Mr. Budge, a New Zealander. 1 THE MAIL ROBBERY. SYDNEY, 24th August. A party of polico searching the railway between Blayney and Bathurst found a number of registered envelopes and unopened private letters, with others which had been torn up. These have been identified as part of tho proceeds of tho mail robbery which tpok -nlace on the Cowra-Blayney branch lino, or on tho way to Redfern on tho 22nd inst. One of tho envelopes found contained a postal order for £5. MOUNT LYELL RETURNS. (Received August 25, 10.4 a.m.) MELBOURNE, 25th August. The Mount Lyell leturns from 20th July to 16th August (inclusive) show that 36,403 toils of ore vcro treated, also 1515 tons of purchased oies, producing 711 tons of blister copper, containing — Copper 702 tons, silver 60,256 ounces, gold 1839 ounces. I

ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC.

CURTIS'S NOVELTY COMPANY. There was a large amount of merit in the entertainment provided by the American Novelty Company judged by vaudeville standard. The programme submitted at the Opera House last night was marked by some items of unusual attractiveness, and some turns of an unconventional nature. The legerderniain and illusions of "Clive," the debonair conjurer, are the principal items in. the fare provided. He has a stage aplomb that enhances the effect of his commonest U-icks, but in addition he performs some feats that are new and startling, and at card-manipulation he is superb. In his illusion entitled Aga ' he causes a girl to be apparently suspended in mid-air by his mere volition , and in seeming demonstration that that is so he' passes a hoop outside her body as she is so suspended, to shew that there are no cords or wires employed -in the trick. Another neat mystification that Clive performs is the production in a glass aquarium—seemingly from nowhere— of two "mermaids." The rapidity with which this "turn' is enacted adds to its merits. Other capable artists are "Princess Chinquilla" and "Major Newell," who go through a double aot in which the one in songs and dances supplies a quaintness of theme and a charm of manner, while the other gives a juggling exhibition that is distinct from the ordinary variety and exceptionally clever. The Indian songs and dances of "the Princess" are especially pleasing, and the setting given to the scene— an Indian wigwam in the foreground, with fire burning in the centre, relieved by a background of typical American forest — made one of the prettiest stage effects in the way of adjunct to a performance of the kind that has been &een in Wellington. The banjo contributions of "Major Newell" are all enjoyable, and he was heartily recalled for his playing, with variations, of "Home, Sweet Home." Mr. Ernest Barbour told a budget of stories in a manner that amused the audience. The "pictured elodies," with which America in late years has been fascinated, are in large supply at this entertainment, three being sung by Miss Edith Challis, and two* by Miss Idie Goodwill. The performance was concluded with an entertaining biograph representation of a chase after a French heir by a bevy of female fortune-hunt-ers. There are several points on which the entertainment may be recommended to the favourable consideration of theatregoers, and not the least is that fact that as a whole it is distinctly out of the ordinary. "THE MAGIC KETTLE." A programme containing plenty to mystify and amuse, and music and song to charm the ear, are the salient features of Ihe entertainment presented by Mr. George Stephenson's company at the Theatre Royal last night. The entertainment can be classed as a scientific specialty. Scientific it undoubtedly is, ana Professor Andrews, who is the manipulator of the Magic Kettle, presents some amazing paradoxes to the audience. Much has been written and published of the marvellous things that can be accomplished with liquid air, but not until one has had ocular demonstration can he credit them. The kettle is placed on a block of ice and forthwith proceeds to "boil" at a furious rate. Water on being poured in causes "steam" to shoot through the spout many feet in the air. The many curious things done by the Professor are a tax on the credulous. For instance, when one sees a rubber ball placed in a cup, some liquid air poured over it, and a few seconds later, whe^ dropped on the stage, it flies to thousands of pieces — as brittle as glass ; cream, eggs, sugar placed in a chafinjr dish under which is a spirit lamp, liquid air poured into the dish, and in a few seconds ice-cream is being shown to the audience; a cigar lighted at the epout of the steaming kettle ; kerosene frozen hard and then lighted as a candle ; then you laugh, and when outside the theatre you wonder. All these things are done in less time than it takes to write about them, and no doubt crowded houses will watch the Professor's manifestations during tho season, for the "kettle" turn alone is a "star" act and worth the admission fee. The company supporting is a splendid one, and the programme it submits is I much above the average, and does not contain one item to offend — in fact, it I is a high-class entertainment quite in keeping with Mr. Stephenson's reputation as a theatrical manager. The Pierrot Entertainers (Messrs. Wil 1 and Bob Thomas) are excellent, and their refined turn, though a trifle long, did not weary. These two young gentlemen sing, play, and tell stories in an engaging way, and at ones became very popular. The Cathedral Choristers' sweet voices were heard to advantage in several songs, and encoies -ivere demanded. The solo singer of the quartet had a charmingly effective chorns sung by Miss, Peerless and the Choristers off-stage. Miss Peerless also sang "Sing, Sweet Bird" and a selection from "II Trovatore," in both of which her soprano voice was pleasing. Miss Elsie Dwyer also received recalls for her ballads, and similar compliments wero bestowed on the clever Ibson Family for their musical quartets. In Alma, Mr. Stephen&on has introduced one of the cleverest sleight-of-hand performers seen in Wellington for some time. With such a talented combination Mr. Stephenson should have a prosperous season. CONCERT IN THE TOWN HALL. The concert given in tho Town Hall last night by Herr Max Hoppe under the auspices of the Savage Club was in all respects a success. There was a full attendance, including Lady Plunket and a party from Government House. The opening piece was Beethoven's Sonata for piano and violin, op. 24 (Herr Max Hoppo and Miss Edith Taylor). This fine sonata-*-a piece which demands high qualities of execution and expression — was admirably rendered throughout, and gave, «k it were, the keynote to the whole performance. Mr. John Prouse, who had a cordial reception, sang Tschaikowsky's "Pilgrim's Song," and had to respond to a unanimous encore. Miss Amy Murphy followed with Chaminade's "Summer," to which difficult picco she did full justice, and as an encoie sang Clutsam's "I Wander the Woods." Chopin's "War Polonaise," pianoforte rolo by Miss Edith Taylor, was the next item, and the response to a general encore was Liszt's "Nightingale." This young hdy received also the compliment of a beautiful bouquet. The fine string quartette, 'the Theme and Variations from Haydn's "Emperor," by Messrs. Max Hoppe, H. Tombs, C. Cimino, and Leon Cohen, closed the first parl. The fcecond part opened with the song "My Rosary" (Lußt), by Mr. J. Carr, who sang with fine expression. An encore being demanded, he contributed "Dawn." Herr Max Hoppe followed with a violin eolo, "An Italian Love Story," op. 19 (Hofmann), in which he found full scope for his fine technique and power of sympathetic expression. Mr. Proiise's song "My Realm of Love' 1 met with such appreciation that v- second encore was required before the audience Mas satisfied. Miss Murphy was also encored for her charming "Serenade" (Gounod), with violin obbligato by Herr Max. Hoppe, The concert was brought to a close by

another string quartette, Mendelssohn's op. 12, in E-flat major. The reception which the performers met with throughout showed that there is no lack of appreciation in this city foi high-class music sympathetically interpreted. Mis>s Florence Prouse- and Mr. Horace Hunt acted as accompanists. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. The entertainment given nightly at His Majesty's Theatre is one ■which continues to attract a large section of the theatregoing public. The Driscoll Boys, patter comedians, are hosts in themselves. They are brimful of fun, and keep the audience in a simmer of laughter. -The musical selections by the Stewart Trio are artistically given. The company contains some capital vocalists. The entertainment is one which has hit tW public taste. , There will be another change of programme tomorrow night. Amongst the new artistes to-morrow will be Miss Louis Farndon, a mezzo-soprano from Sydney, Mr. Harry Marshall, a, female impersonator, and The St. Leon Trio, trapeze performers. In connection with the new Hill-Birch i comic opera "A Moorish Maid" to be produced here during the last week in September, several improvements are stated to have been made in the work since it was so successfully produced in Aucldand in June last. Madame Lilian Tree (prima donna, Covent Garden Theatre, London), in addition to the fine solos she sustained in the original production, will be heard here in a delightful solo, "Loverland," which took Aucldanders by storm. Mr. Birch, the librettist, as lately as yesterday furnished Mr. Hill with a new ballad for the Princess (Miss Lloyd Hassell), and this promises to be one of the most popular musical numbers in the whole opera. .It will b^ sung in the second act. The chief comedian (Mr. Fred. H. Graham) will also sing here, for the fir&fc time, a, new humorous song from the author's pen. - At the boys' meeting of the junior department held at the Y.M.G.A. Rooms yesterday, there was a crowded attendance. An address was given by Mr. C. Wilson -on the life of General Gordon. j.ue boys dispersed after a very pleasant time. A large audience assembled in the Gourtenay-place Congregational Church last evening to hear the Rev. S. Griffiths (who is a Welshman) give his lecture upon the "Great Welsh Revival." In introducing the subject, the lecturer first read a reference from a French daily paper which stated that the greatest event of the day was the "Great Welsh Religions Revival," and the London Times, referring to the same revival, stated "that it is the greatest religious movement of the century." Mr. Evan Roberts, -who was the human instrument in this great revival, was working in a coalmine in Wales when only twelve years of age. He had a desire to be a Calvinistic minister, and used to walk many miles to follow up studies to fit him for that position. A strike in the coalmine took place, and young Roberts came out with the others. After that event, he apprenticed himself to his uncle as a blacksmith, and it was while there that he was filled with a Divine influence which resulted in the great revival that is now going on. So great was the influence of the revival upon the workers and others that many business men, who had written off accounts^ bad debts, were gratified by receiving payment 'after the conversion of their ' debtors. , Theatres could not get audiences, and public houses were deserted, but the churches were packed. The lecturer related many striking incidents of convei'sions having taken place, and summed up his remarks by saying that the great Welsh revival was the result, of much earnest and believing prayer. Mr. Gritfitlis" leaves by the steamer for Nelson to-day to supply the pulpit of the Congregational Church there. The weekly korero of the Savage Club will be held in the Club-rooms to-mor-row evening, when Mr. J. M. Clark will occupy the chair. Mr. Charles Wil-' son will give "A Talk on Dickens," which will be illustrated with lime-light views. Mr. W. H. Smith, manager of Te Aro House, entertained the members of the Te Aro House Cricket Club at his residence last evening. The -following contributed to the evening's enjoyment : — Messrs. Jones, Forsythe, Ingram, Rising, Rt^ves, and Rowse. The trophies won during the season were presented as follows: — Batting, Bernasconi;. bowling, Bonner. Mr. C. W. Barker waa elected secretary in place of Mr. W. A. Rowse, resigned. DEATH OF A CHINAMAN. « A SUSPICIOUS CASE. [BY TELEGRAPH — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] # ■ DUNEDIN, 24th August. It now turns out that the Chinaman, Horn Sing Tong, found dead in his huinear Tapanui, was shot in the head. This was only discovered to-day, the previous examination being a hasty one, and made without the blood being washed from the face. The circumstances point to the wound not having been self-inflicted. The man lived by himself on the outskirts of the township, and was generally respected. He was known to be possessed of money, and £48 was found intact at the head of his bed, while a. watch and chain wore in one of his pockets. There arc two or throe small houses close by, and two persons state they heard a- shot on Monday evening botween nine and ten. It seems improbable that the man made away with himself. A revolver was found in another room, but it was not loaded, and was covered with dust. The whole case is at present a mystery. After hearing medical evidence, the inquest was adjourned. ■ BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS. . • MEETING AT DUNEDIN. [by telegraph— press association.] DUNEDIN, This Day. A meeting at North Dunedin carried a resolution calling on the School Committecb in that end of the city to allow the Nelson scheme to bo brought into opeia.tion. Bishop Ncvill, who presided, declared for religious instruction outright, while Dean Fitchett said if the efforts of the clergy to give religious instruction within school hours was not conceded ;t would lead to denominationalism. Tho Primalo also declared that Anglicans would bo forced to establish their own schools. Other speakers declared that they hnd been advised that the existing law permitted Bible reading within school hours. [BY TELECISArit — OWN COEHESrOKDEVT. j DUNEDIN, Tins Day. Though last night's meeting re Bible rending in schools was advertised and given out from some ot the church pulpits, less than sixty persons responded to the call. The Primate and Dean Fitchett were the principal speakers. Apologies wero received from'several clergymen who -had been invited to attend.