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Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 814, 14 December 1865, Page 2

The town has presented thab remarkably deserted appearance to-day which, might have been expected, except at the commencement and conclusion of divine service at the Presbyterian churches. In the afternoon a large number of people availed themselves of the steamboat plying to Vauxhall, the gardens of "which were numerously attended. The Theatre will be open as usual to-night, and Mr Barlow's entertainment will be repeated in conjunction with the usual programme of the Circus.

Thb Chile has arrived from London with passengers. A.?i advertisement in another column notifies that the General Government telegraph will be opened to Picton on and after to-day. In the Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday two inebriates hailing - from the 3ST. £}. Valley were fined 20s, with the usual alternative. A sitting was held under the extended jurisdiction, but from the length of time occupied in disposing of the causes set down for heavhig, we are only enabled the following : —Richard Parsons v. ICdwara Menlove, a claim of £IOO for damages sustained through being wounded by a boar, the property of the defendant. Mr Wilson appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Ha g tt, s-n . for the defendant. The case for the plaintiff was that, on the 25th of September lasi:, he took a pig for slaughter to the yards of -the defendant. When proceeding from the slaughter-house to his dray, he was attacked by a boar, which

threw Mm to the ground, and ripped open his thigh, from the effects of which he was forced to obtain medical advice, and w>s unable to attend to his trade. Witnesses were called, who considered the boar was of a very ferocious disposition, and stated that it was found necessary to have, its tusks taken out, as it was in the habit of ripping the other pigs with which it associated. For" the defence, it was stated that the boar was very tame, and that the attack was caused through the negligence of the plaintiff. The Magistrate thought differently, and gave judgment for the plaintiff for £35 and costs. In the following cases judgment by default was given for the amount claimed, and costs :—Jno. M'Cubbin v. W. Crossly, a claim of £25 for cash lent; and Bates, Sise, and Co. v. R. Donkin, a claim of £29 ISs for a dishonored acceptance.

Many have been the changes in, and great the progression of, the Australian colonies since " the inimitable Barlow " was the sole source of amusement in Melbourne. Twelve years ago the only music in Dunedin was to be heard in a frail structure opposite the present Houses of Parliament, which was crowded nightly, when the artiste who made his first appearance in New Zealand last night, together with Winterbottom, the celebrated bassoon player, | Madame Carandini, Miss Octavia Hamilton, and others, provided a musical entertainment which would be far from unacceptable in Dunedin at the present time. Those were the " good old times," (?) when popular actors and actresses were not complimented by boquets, but received a more substantial ovation in the shape of a shower of nuggets or coin. At the period we refer to, both mud and money were more plentiful in Melbourne than they now are, and the name of Dunedin was unknown in the colonies excepting to a very select few. Then it was considered vulgar to dress respectably, and a "blue jumper" and a " cabbage-tree " hat were the only passports to attention at a shop counter. The dirtier the cabbage-tree hat the greater the importance of the wearer, it being argued that the wearer and his hat had seen work, and work then was the enchanter's wand which changed all it touched into gold. The times have changed—it is to be hoped not for the worse —but Mr Barlow is unchanged. He appeal's as youthful as when he used to be compelled to sing " Ben Bolt " three times consecutively, sending all the young colonists home delighted about "sweet Alice," and enquiring musically of all their acquaintances whether they did not remember her. " Unlock the lands" was then, as now, the cry. of the colonists, and the title of one of his stirring songs ■which every bedouin in the streets used to imitate with that degree of musical accuracy -which the " arabs of the pavement" so wonderfully acquire. We were glad to see a very good audience at the Princess Theatre last night, and it •was evident that a large proportion of those present looked upon the artiste as an old acquaintance. The entertainment is of the most varied description, and the singer glides from '' grave to gay" with a facility which keeps the listeners constantly amused. At first a ballad, next an air produced by wonderful manipulation upon pieces of rude stone, then a solo on a gridiron, and to crown all, one on the bellows! The second part of -fclio is devoted, to Negro eccentricities, in which Mr Barlow's great forte lies, and the "Blue-tailed Fly" concludes an entertainment which old and young can thoroughly enjoy, and which is bound to be well patronised jjwhen its merits become more generally known.