The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 16, 1897.

Evening Star, Issue 10342, 16 June 1897, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 16, 1897.

Menn A. Judge and J. P. Jones were the presiding justices at the Police Court this morning, when three offenders, charged with drunkenness, were dealt with as follow: Robert Johnston was fined 5s or twenty.four boars' imprisonment, Christopher M*Dermitt 10b or forty-eight hours, sad a first offender, who mi suffering from i sprained ankle, was convicted and discharged. The Rev. Alton Poole delivered an instructive, humorous, and entertaining lantern lecture, entitled 'Queer Fish,' in the stone Baptist Church at Caversham last evening, when there was • Urge attendance. Mr Poole kept his audience in roars of laughter during the whole of his..leotnre by the manner in which he compared the various kinds of fishes with human beings. The evening's enjoyment was brought to a 4IOM with the benediction.

Mr Carew, S.M.* being indtapnsed this morning, Measr* 48, , C> Graham and F. Morioft presided: at the Magistrate'* Court and disposed of the small-debt were ripe lor adjudication. & The case against John Currie, of theft on the 27th of February, of a ailver valued at £lO, the property of John Smith, was resumed at the Police Court this afternoon, beforY Messrs W. Hutchison and J* Hyraan, J.P.b. \ After hearing several witnesses the Benoh said that the evidenee was not sufficient to send the man for trial, and" dismissed the case. Mr A. C. Hanlon defended. Sergeant O'Neill asked if their Worships would order that the watch should* be handed over to the proaeoutox, The Bench declined to make an order, the police to keep possession of the watch in the meantime.

Mr F. J. Townsend, the Dunedin manager of the Bank of Australasia, who left this City on the 21st April last on a trip to Europe, which was to have lasted for about nine months, died at sea on board one of the P. and 0. liners on Friday last. Word to that effect was received late yesterday afternoon by Mr F. Ayres, the acting manager of the bank, and as the advisory message originated at Port Said the presumption is that Mr Townsend was overpowered by the heat of the Red Sea passage, this being the time of year at which this heat is at its fiercest point. Strange to say, a question raised by one of Mr Townsend's friends, just before he left Dunedin, as to the advisability of undertaking the Bed Sea passage at tliis season, caused Mr Townsend to ask medical advice on the point, but it was a father's fear that moved him, and the question put to the physician was as to whether the heat would be likely to affect the boy—the only son —by whom Mr and Mrs Townsend were accompanied. Mr Townsond did not think of hinuelf in the matter. The deceased gentleman was born in November, 1849, and received his mercantile training, we believe, at Liverpool, afterwards goingtoLondon, from whence he came to the colonies. He was accountant in ,the bank's service here about twelve years ago, then filled a similar position in Brisbane, and afterwards in Sydney, and he came to Dunedin as manager in June of 1594. During his residence in Dunedin Mr Townsend earned the sincere respect of the commercial public and made j many warm personal friends, his disposition ! being of a cheery and kiudly nature. Cn June 22 the 11.20 p.m. train from Dunedin will run through to Clinton. A notice of importance to holders of liquor licenses appears in this issue. The Mornington Amateur Orchestral Society give a concert in the Presbyterian flail on Friday evening. The kinetoecope and phonograph, next City Hotel, seems to nave-caught on well in Dunedin. It is open afternoon and evening. The attention of our readers is directed to a notice in tbo advertising columns as to the closing of solicitors' offices during part of next week. On Saturday the train usually leaving Clinton for Duredin at 3.15 p.m. will cot run, but a special passenger train is to leave Balclutha for Dunedin at 3.50 p.m. At a gathering of Sunday school scholars to be held in the First Churoh on Sunday at 3 p.m. a special collection will be taken up in aid of the children's ward. At the annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association at the Choral Hall to-morrow night Judge Williams will preside and move the adoption of the report. Dr Barnett and Dr Jeffcoat will be the other speakers, and Mrs JeSooat will distribute the certificates. We have been requested to mention that the public will be admitted till the hall is filled. The programme at the Garrison Hall tonight to be given by Mr John Fuller's Mjriorama Company is an attractive one. The scenic theme will he 'From London to Borne.' The vocal portion of the entertainment is in the hands of Misses May Black and Olive Barne, Mr J. Bryant (who make their first appearance), Messrs Farquhar Young, Albort Lucas. Walter Fuller, John Fuller, Misses Hettie Warden and Lydia Walters. At the rrineesi's Theatre on Monday evening Carl Hertz, the clever and popular entertainer, will make his reappearance for a few farewell performances prior to his immediate departure for London. Included in the tre»h attractions will be the first produotion in Dunedin of the laiest illusion " Aerolithe." It was the presentation of thii really marvellous illusion that created so much public enthusiasm iu Christchurch, when the management had to submit to a prosecution for overcrowding the theatre. In addition the cinematographe will introduce a complete set of new pictures, including tbo very litest photograph of Her Majesty the Queen.' We are requested to scare that during the season the cinematographe will be operated from the rear of the stage, and will thus add to the enjoyment of the dress circle patrons, and admit of the best seats being available at the box office, which is now open at the Dresden. This unique entertainer returns to Dunedin fiom the North this evening, and proceeds to Invercargill in the morning. ____ m-m ___^__^^^_