Hawke's Bay Herald SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1868.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 919, 22 February 1868, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1868.

His Honor the Superintendent, we understand, proceeds to Poverty Bay in the Sturt, this afternoon. Cobb's Coach arrived in Napier yesterday at 10 minutes past two. Messrs. Routledge, Kennedy and Co. have requested us to intimate that the drapery goods advertised for sale by auction on the 25th inst., are now on view at their stores. Public Slaughter House. — We learn that the contract for the erection of this building has been obtained by Mr. Holt. The timber is now, we perceive, on the ground. Ma. Fox's speech at Wanganui, as given in another column, will well repay perusal by our readers. Mr. Fox has arrived at an opportune time in New Zealand affairs for a man of his ability and experience. Napier Militia.— Lieut. John Chapman George has been gazetted Captain — date of commission 27th January, 1868. The Hawke's Bay Agricultural Show will, we understand, take place on the 11th March, at the Meanee. The Telegraph Poles are being erected with great rapidity — the line being now considerably past Tareha's Bridge. Madame Carandini and party left Napier early yesterday morning, for Waipawa, where they were to give two entertainments — one last evening and one to-night. It will be a great treat to our inland friends. Miss Rosina Carandini, as will be seen from advertisement, takes a benefit on the night of Monday next. Although money is not over plentiful at this time, we have no doubt whatever that this talented and charming vocalist will have a bumper house on the occasion. Toll-Gate. — It will be seen from an advertisement in this morning's Herald that tenders are invited for the erection of a Toll-gate at Tareha's Bridge. Signs op the Times. — All officers of the Provincial Government have received intimation that, the revenue not coming up to expectation, they must be prepared for dismissal without further notice, should such a step be found to be necessary. A similar circular has been sent to persons receiving a subsidy from the Provincial Government. Race Course. — It will been seen by advertisement that tenders are wanted by the Jockey Club for removing the grand stand and other work on the race course— tenders to be given in not later than Tuesday next. Artesian Wells. — Three wells have been successfully bored during the last three weeks by Mr. Garry at the Karainu — one for Mr. Tanner at a depth of 110 feet ; one for Messrs. Williams, Hickson, and others at 140 feet ; and one for Mr. J, N. Williams at 154 feet. The height the flow reached above the pipes was according to the depth. The Hon. Colonel Haultain was a passenger by the paddle steamer Sturt, yesterday. It is understood he will proceed in the Sturt to Opotiki, to take measures with respect to the disturbances that have taken place in that' district within the past few days. The Stobm which caused the loss of the Echunga at Napier, seems to have been felt from the North Cape to the most southern portion of New Zealand. Its calamitous effects are recorded in almost every southern paper to hand. We devote several columns of our space this morning to extracts. It will be seen that two other wool ships have fallen victims to the fury of the tempest. Acclimatization. — Mr. Tiffen, on behalf of the Acclimatization Society, has just received from Auckland 40 Californian quail, a beautiful bird, highly insectiverous. The lot have been landed in splendid condition, and are on sale at £l per pair. By the same opportunity 11 pheasants were shipped— all birds of this season's hatching. We regret to learn that only 8 reached Napier alive, but these are very strong.. They are now on sale at £5 per pair. Of the Budgereegars, or love birds, 4 are still undisposed of. Prize Firing. — The firing for the purpose of determining whether Hawke's Bay should have a representative at the firing in Wellington for the Colonial prizes, took place on Wednesday last. The reflection of the sun on the shingle beach had a very injurious effect upon the eyes of the competitors — the target seeming as if in a state of perpetual motion. The firing, consequently, was very indifferent — '35 being the highest score. We do not give the scores, as it was found, immediately after, that the distances had been measured incorrectly, and that a fresh competition would

luive to take place. This, as will be seen frmn advertisement, is ordered fur Monday 2nd prox., at 9 a.m., at the .Napier range — the competitors, however, having the option of using the Jprreenmeadows range if they like to bear the expense themselves. As they offered to do this Before, we have not the slightest doubt they, will avail themselves of the opportunity tuns afforded, and that very fair firing will be the result. The Carandini Concerts.- — Since our last, Madame Carandini and talented company have given two concerts— one on Tuesday evening and the other on Thurs - day. The first was given to a crowded house, and the programme contained many gems of rare beauty. Thursday's performance (announced for the benefit of Madame Carandini) was not quite so largely attended. The truth we suppose is that, however admirable and attractive the entertainment, there is a limit in these times to the means of most people. However the room was respectably filled, and the audience an appreciative one. Madame was in excellent voice, the most arduous and attenuated notes sounding clear and distinct. She opened the performance with the grand scena "Softly sighs the voice of evening," from Der Freschutz — a piece of some length and difficulty of execution, which she rendered with artistic ability and delightful effect. The cavatina " Sing on ye little Birds," and the serenade, "When the quiet moon is breaking," by Miss Rosina and Miss Fannie respectively, were both, almost as a matter of course, encored — the former substituting the favorite ballad of Molly Asthore. A quartette " Ecco quel Fiero," and a duet, "Soft Music is stealing " — the latter by Miss Rosina and Mr. Sherwin, were both very beautiful, the blending of the voices being such as nothing but long practice can bestow. The ballad " Robin's Return" was charmingly sung by Miss Rosina, and, as usual, she very pleasantly responded to the demand of the audience, and gave a Scotch song. A duet, by the two young ladies, "We are two merry fairies," given with striking precision, ended the first part. The second opened with a grand duet from " Tancredi," sung by Madame and Miss Rosina. It was a magnificent piece, and done full justice to. The " Lady of the Lea " is a song that displays the finest qualities of Miss Fannies rich contralto. It was admirably sung, each note being listened to with almost breathless interest. The archness with which the second verse was sung added to the effect: — But, when ask'd if she would wed, She would toss her dainty head, Sajring, laughingly, instead " Sirs, we would be free ;" " Time enough I trow" quoth she "When -wo are tired of liberty ;" For the present we would he The Lady of the Lea," &c. —In response to an encore, the fair vocalist gave Mrs. Norton's sweet song, " The Murmur of the Shell." The buffo duet— " I don't object," was very good in its way. The song, by Haynes "Bailey—" I'll watch for thee," by Miss Rosina, was sweetly rendered, but was fairly surpassed by the Mabel valse, which she sang upon being again called before the audience. A more beautiful piece of music, more exquisitely rendered, it has never been our lot to hear. The plaudits of the audience were deafening. The trio, "TiPrego," in which the company took part, was a finished performance, which was repeated at the general request, expressed in the usual manner. It says something indeed for the musical taste of our little town that such a piece should have been so universally appreciated. No more striking illustration of Madame Carandini's powei's as a vocalist could have been given than in the song, "The last Rose of Summer," which followed on the programme, and which she rendered with exquisite effect. "Beware, trust her not," which came next, was given with all the archness that characterised the same charming duet on former evening. It is one of those things that one never gets tired of, a remark, by the way, which might be truthfully applied, to the entertainment as a whole. The arrival of such pleasing visitors is an era in the annals of our usually dull town ; and we are not sorry to see that three more concerts are announced for next week ; although we could have wished that the size of the hall had been such as as to have permitted of a reduction in prices.