OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 7469, 13 March 1888, Page 1

OUR AUSTRALIAN LETTER.

[From our Melbourne Correspondent.]

Melbourne, February 28, THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.

It has now been definitely arranged to have a combined Imperial and Victorian naval display, and an Australasian militia encampment in connection with the Melbourne CentennialJSxhibition. Large bodies of men are expected from New South Wales and South Australia, and detachments from Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Altogether the authorities have in contemplation the encampment of fully 5,000 men, a brigading, so to speak, of colonial forces, the importance of wnicb, as an initial step tending to federate and consolidate colonial forces, can hardly be over-estimated. While the routine of camp duties will be strictly carried out, the visitors will be allowed ample facilities to look around them, and in all probability the termination of the camp will be a brilliant review.

With regard to Mr Cowen's appointment the ' Leader' remarks:—" It is satisfactory to learn, by a cablegram received on Saturday, that Mr Frederic Cowen, the wellknown composer, has accepted the position of musical conductor of the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, and that, consequently, such an inappropriate selection fcr the appointment as Herr Strauss would have been need no longer be feared. The proposal to engage Serr Strauss, should negotiations with Mr Cowen fail, could only have been due to ignorance as to the relative positions in the musical world of the two gentlemen named. Mr Cowen is acknowledged to be one of the foremost among living English musicians, and has produced many works testifying to his ability as a composer and his conscientious endeavor to maintain the

dignity and prestige of his art. Herr Strauss, though his name may be equally well known, holds a far different rank ; he is identified, both as a composer and conductor, with dance music, and though he is one of the best exponents of this branch of musical art, very different qualifications are necessary to adequately fill the position in question. The absurdity of the alternative of Mr Cowan or Herr Strauss might find its parallel in the case of an operatic impressario who, failing to obtain the services of Mesdames Patti or Nillson, should engage instead Miss Violet Cameron or Miss Nellie Farren. The result of the late negotiations for a conductor has, fortunately, proved entirely satisfactory; but it might have been otherwise, and the fact that such % fiasco should have been possible shows that it is not desirable to leave the arrangement of artistic matters entirely in the hands of persons who, though well meaning, have not that special knowledge which would make their opinion valuable. That the conductor engaged is an Englishman is a matter for congratulation, and also the fact that his influence will undoubtedly be on the side of that which is sterling and elevated, and in opposition to meretricious display and sensationalism. Mr Cowen is to bring with

him several orchestral musicians with a view to the reinforcement of an orchestra to be formed here 5 but if there are to be evening performances in the Exhibition Building the difficulty in obtaining the requisite number of performers will be considerable, since nearly all the best orchestral artists are engaged at the theatres. This fact should not be overlooked by the commissioners." A FATAL FIGHT. A terrible fight took place last Sunday morning at Albert Park between two fishhawkers named John Hyrons and Matthew Evans, and resulted in the death of the former. There had been Borne ill-feeling between the men inconsequence of Hyrons's

trenching on the other's round, and on meeting at the Bowling Green Hotel, Chapel street, Windsor, on Thursday laßt, they had a quarrel. Several persons present, anxious to be afforded the opportunity of viewing a brutal spectacle, urged the men (neither cf whom were boxers) to settle their difference by a stand-up fight. They agreed, and the encounter took place shortly after daybreak at the rear of the Warehousemen's Cricket Ground in the presence of about a dozen persons. Hyrons, who was twenty-six years of age, was seconded by a bootmaker named William Plummer, residing in High street, Prahran; and a man named Cox, a plasterer, living in Princess street, Windsor, acted in a similar capacity for Evans. The contestants, on arriving at the appointed spot with their friends, lost no time in stripping themselves to the waist. A ring was formed and a timekeeper appointed. Both men assumed a confident air as they stepped forward to confront each other, and to the onlookers it at once became evident

that the fight would be a vigorous if not a lengthy one. During the first few rounds Hyrons injured his opponent severely about the face, but after a little while Evans closed with Hyrons, and the latter fell heavily, his temple striking a small fitump. This fall dazed Hyrons slightly, but did not prevent him continuing the encounter. Several rounds followed, and both men received injuries to the face and body. They were much exhausted, having by this time fought for nearly an hour, and after a few more rounds, whilst Hyrons was sitting on Plummer's knee, waiting for the next round to commence, Plummer asked him how he fel*;, and he replied: "All right." Immediately after, however, Hyrons slid from his second's knee on to the ground in a fainting condition. Efforts were made by his supporters to restore him to consciousness, but without avail. The fight was therefore awarded to Evans, and the spectators, observing the serious condition of Hyrons, hastily decamped, leaving tho unfortunate man in the care of Plummer, who, on finding that his friend made no signs of recovery, went for a cab. Whilst he was in search of one,.

a man passed through the park, and seeing Hyrons lying in an unconscious condition on the grass, and cut about the face, concluded that someone had assaulted and robbed him, and made haste to the police station on the St. Hilda road, and informed the constable in charge there of the affair. During the absence of this man Plummer returned with a cab, and with the assistance of the driver raised Hvrons from the ground and drove him to his lodgings in Duke street, Prahran. A few minute 3 after they had driven away in the cab the policeman referred to visited the scene of the encounter, but, of course, was unable to find the person alluded to by his informant. After Hyrons had been at home for a couple of hours, his wi f e became alarmed at his condition, as he was still unconscious, and insisted on Plummer taking him to the Alfred Hospital, which he did about 9 a.m. The injured man lingered on till 4 p.m., when he died, remaining unconscious all the time. The man was literally beaten to death. His body above the waist was a mass of bruises, and his face was battered almost beyond recognition by Lis friends. The immediate cause of death was suffusion

of blood on the brain and consequent compression, the result of external violence. When the police went to arrest Evans they found he was not at home, but he gave himself up yesterday. He explained that he had passed the night at Burnley, where he was engaged in endeavoring to reduce the swelling and discoloration on his face. He did not know that Hyrons was dead and that there was a warrant out against himself until he saw the morning papers, when he immediately engaged a cab in order to go to Prahran and give him-

self up. Evans's face bears testimony to the severity of the conflict, and the ferocity with which it was conducted to the bitter end. His face is swollen and discolored, and is, in fact, one mass of cuts and bruises, and he states that his body is in an even worse condition. He is a man of anything but pugilistic build, being of mediu.n height and slight. The deceased man was somewhat stouter, but shorter. Evans appears to be exceedingly sorry for the fatal result of the encounter, the blame for which he attributes to the obstinacy ol the deceased in refusing to give in long after it became evident that he was worsted, and the brutality of his second in putting him up again and again when he was .obvious y unfit to fight any longer. Reginald Ely (28), a clerk, and son of the town clerk of rfanran, who acted as referee William Hummer (31), who was deceaseds second, ami Louis Pollock (36), fishmonger, Evans a second, have also been arrested, but admitted to bail.

HOW MEN ARE ROBIilil). A great deal is heard of men being robbed in Melbourne, but in many cases there is no doubt they themselves are altogether responsible for the trouble which befalls them. The following is a common story:—"The other morning, whilst Joseph Howard, a laborer from Albury, was standing on the •steps of the Custom-house, Flinders street, looking at the shipping in the Yarra, a man approached him and said: «How are you, Mr M'Donald?' 'My name is not M'Donald, replied Howard. « Oh, I beg your pardon ; I thought it was,' said the stranger. But never mind; come and have a drink with me.' The invitation was accepted, and they went to a neighboring hotel, where a second stranger made his appearance, and claimed acquaintance with the man who had accosted Howard. The trio remained drinking until nix o'clock in the evening, and Howard confided to the strangers that he had been working at Albury; that he had three years Bavings with him in the shape of 103 sovereigns in a small bag, which he displayed, and that he was going home to England. One of the mensnatched thebag of sovereigns, and made off with his companion. Neither of them has been seen since, although the police have been searching for them. Howard is penniless."

PERSONAL. Mr Vincent Pyke intends to visit the mining centres before going to Sydney. The death is announced of Mr Samuel Renwick, who has been well known in commercial circles as a member of the firm of Messrs James M'Ewan and Co., of Elizabeth etreet, and one of the managers of the company into which the firm has lately been formed. , . It is a well-known fact that members oi very aristocratic families are to be found among the Jehus of Melbourne. They are young men who have come out to the colony with funds which were speedily dissipated, and when they went to look for work they found they were most at home among horses, «o they adopted an occupation which was congenial if not very dignified. I read in a society paper last week that a son of Lady Smythe is a conductor on the Colhngwood tramway line. . Mr Arthur Law, who has done some light dramatic work for the German Reeds, in London, is dramatising Mr Fergus Humes ' Mystery of a Hansom Cab.' Mr P. Lalor, M.L.A., has so much improved in health siuce his trip to San Francisco that he is again quite fit for his parliamentary duties, and he intends retaining his seat for Grant in the Legislative Assembly. He will support the Ministry. "Money" Miller, who was one of the wealthiest men of Melbourne, is dead. His eole claim to public notice was his remarkable capacity for making money. He was extremely parsimonious, and this fact may be judged from the following story, which is well authenticated:—" On the occasion of the death of one of his daughters, some twenty years ago, he decided to build a family vault, and made inquiry of the cemetery trustees as to the price of the land required for the purpose. A price had beer, named, and it was thought agreed upon by the millionaire, but at the last moment he discovered that by buying allotments separately in different names he could get the ground cheaper. This plan ho adopted, and he expressed his intense satisfaction that he had made a good bargain. The smartest epigram which summed up the character of the late director of the Bank of Victoria was uttered many years ago in the Legislative Council of Victoria by the Hon. Nicholas Fitzgerald. Mr Miller had been making some disparaging remarks about a religious matter which was under discuseion, when tho Castlemaine brewer rose and said: • The hon. member has been talking about religion. He has no religion in his composition. His counting-house is his church ; his desk his pulpit; bis ledger his Bible ; and his money his God.' "

THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL. It is stated that Mr Bland Holt intends to revisit New Zealand at the end of the year, when he will take fresh novelties with him. There is a story current concerning Miss Nellie Stewart, the popular prima donna at the Prlnoess's. She was asked why she was unwilling to take an engagement in England. " Not In my youth and freshness,' she said, "would I dream ot singing in England; when lam old and pasaie I can aing for them." Herr Gorlitz has made arrangements for commencing a season of English opera in Melbourne in May, with Miss Amy Sherwin as prima donna. The other soloists have been engaged to come out from Home.

Mr Charles Warner has made abrilliant eucceaa with the Melbourne public in his wonderfully truthful and thrilling impersonation of the character of Coupeau in the play 'Drink,' and crowded audiences are being nightly attracted to the Royal. 'As You Like It' is being produced at the Bijou, and Miss Jenyns makes a very effective Rosalind. The people are flocking to see * Dorothy' just as if the opera wa3 in its first Mason; but it has to be withdrawn this week owing to Mr Elton having to fulfil another engagement. This gentleman takes a benefit on Friday, when Mr Alfred Cellier's musical proverle 'Charity Begins at Home' will be added to the bill of fare, and for Saturday ' Faust' is announced. ' The Arabian Nights' has given place to' Brighton' at the Alexandra.

The Lynch Family of Bellringers have opened in the Town Hall. 4 ln the Ranks' and ' The Mikado' have been the principal attractions in Sydney lately. These pieces are being produced at Her Majesty's Theatre and the Theatre Royal respectively. * Dick' is being performed at the Criterion, and ' Faust' at the Gaiety. The Federal Minstrels arc appearing at the Academy of Music, and Mr Dark's burlesque and comedy company at the Royal Aquarium. GENERAL. A verdict of manslaughter has been returned by a coroner's jury against E. Thomas, the chemist who caused the death of a child named Horan by an overdose of opium in Sydney. He was committed for trial, but bail was allowed. A young man named Patrick Heffernan was charged at the Brisbane District Court with a breach of the Immigration Act in attempting to leave the colony for Sydney almost on his arrival. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, but the benefit of the First Offenders' Probation Act was extended to him.

A project is on foot for the erection of a floating swimming bath, to be moored in Sydney Harbor, off Garden Island. The plan snows the ship St. Laurence, a vessel of over 200 ft long, surrounded at a distance of 20ft by a shark-proof fence, giving a depth of water of 3ft. It is to be built in sections, one or more of which may be raised, so as to afford a shallower bath for non-swimmers or learners. The position of New South Wales with regard to federation is thus summed up by the 'Sydney Daily Telegraph':—" New South Wales recognises without a shadow of doubt the futurity and the necessity and the certainty of federation. When the time comes that the colonies are ripe and ready for real federation it will eagerly take part in the great work, but in the meantime it has not cared to play at federation by taking part in the melancholy and ineffective Federal Council which peacefully expired the other day at Hobart." In Sydney there exists a Chinese Young Men's Christian Association, having for its object the promotion of mutual help amongst Chinamen. Already the association

numbers about ICO members. Of these a large percentage are Christians, but the rules of admission are liberal, and the " Heathen Chinee " is as welcome in its ranks as his converted " cousin." The rules provide that "members must not gamble, must lead a good life, must not use intoxicating liquors, and must not smoke opium, and these rules are enforced with remarkable strictness. Sir Henry l'arkes docs not like the term "Colonial" Secretary, which he thinks absurd in a country which has no cluster of colonies. He suggests a change in the designation of ministers, and would call the Minister of Railways "Minister of the Interior." , , It is little known to what extent bank tellers have to guard against traps deliberately laid for them by dishonest persons asking for change. A few days ago, in Sydney, an employe from a George street shop called in at a neighboring bank, and, asking for "ten in half-sovereigns," put down aLS note. Tho teller, inadvertently complying, returned him eighteen halfaovereigns and one sovereign—in all Llo— discovering the discrepancy until tho dishonest clerk had left the bank with his booty. However, he was afterwards followed and fully identified, and the matter has been placed in the hands of tho detective department. An amusing incident occurred recently at Shepparton. A local angler finding sport rather dull set a line to a bush rod, and sticking the rod in a soft clay bank went further down the stream to try lira luck. On his return he arrived at the spot just in time to see the rod pulled out of the bank into the river by a fish. He had a dog with him, and threw a clod of earth after the departing rod, telling the dog to fetch it. Tho dog immediately grasped the idea, and went for the rod. Then the fun began. As the dog made for the shore the fish pulled in a contrary direction, repeatedly pulling the dog's head under the water. After about half an hour's struggling the pluck and perseverance of the dog were rewarded, and his master had the satisfaction of landing a bream which weighed silb, One of the strangest of coincidences u related as follows by the 'Ballarat Courier': —" About twenty years ago a woman, residing not far from the Barwon River, was the unfortunate wife of a drunken husband, whom she frequently upbraided for giving way to drink. One day he went to the river and drowned himself, leaving a widow and four daughters and a son. Time rolled on; the widow recovered from her painful affliction, and sought fresh joys by marrying a publican. Her second lease of matrimonial life continued for some years, during which four sons and a daughter were added to the family ; but a few days ago the body of the second husband was found in the river, within 50ft of the Bpot where husband No. 1 met with the same fate." Over 2,000 firemen are expected to take part in the annual fire brigades' demonstration, which is to take place at Geelong on the 7th, Bth, and 9th March, and arrangements have been completed for their transit from the various parts of the colony. A curious accident of a very serious nature happened at Minmi, whereby two miners (John Burke and Watson Hodgson) nearly lost their lives. They were engaged to cut out a stand for a pump about 200 ft from the surface in what is known as the old watershaft, belonging to Messrs J. and A. Brown. They had charged two holes with powder, and had signalled to the engineman to see all wa3 ready. Being assured that all was right, they lighted the fuse and attempted to get into the tub and give the signal to be drawn up j but, through a defect in the fuse the shots went off before the engineman had time to lift the men from the bottom, so that they got the full force of the shots, which cut and bruised them terribly. On hearing the report below the engineman drew up very slowly, and, on reaching tho top, both men were found to be clinging to the lift with a death grip and almost exhausted. Tho following bon mot is told by "Atticus" in the 'Leader':—"A gentleman lately advertised for a tutor and companion for two lads who were going on a three years' tour over the world. The candidate was to be a graduate of an English University, able to speak French, German, and either Italian or Spanish, and to have unexceptionable references. A personal interview was a necessity. The applicant whoso manner best pleased the advertiser was a smart, gentleman-like young fellow, who ojiatted for a few minutes in an easy and sdlf-possessed way. But he admitted at the start that he did not possess all the necessary qualifications as he had not taken out his degree. ' But you have been at an English University, I presume ?' inquired the advertiser. 'No,' was the candid reply, ' I have not attended any university, and I have never been out of the colony.' 'I suppose you can speak three modern languages ?' was the next inquiry. 'No, to be frank, I cannot speak any language but my own,' answered the candidate ; ' and I suppose I won't suit. But I may suit another way,' he continued, opening a black bag and taking out a gorgeously bound book;' If you will allow me to put down your name as a subscriber to this volume you will never regret it!' And, as a matter of fact, the unfortunate gentleman found it necessary to take one of the books to get rid of his importunate visitor." [The above letter miscarried. It should have been received last Tuesday.]