The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1867. THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 93, 23 April 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 1867. THE HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The concert offered by the Harmonic Society to his Excelleucy the Governor took place yesterday evening at the Pro vincial Hall. Owing, however, to the extreme iuclemency of the weather and other causes to which it is needless to advert, the audience was not nearly so numerous or so brilliant as is usually the case on these occasions, aud this, no doubt, exercised an unpropitious influence upon the success of the performance. We were glad to observe that the large majority of those present had deferred to the hint thrown out with reference to the adoption of evening costume, and the general appearance of the room certainly gained by this innovation. The Governor arrived at a quarter-past 8 o'clock, attended by the Hon. Major Richardson, Captain Hope, R.N., Major Gray, A.D.C., the Private Secretary, and by his Honor the Superintendent, and was received on his arrival at the Hall by Sir David Monro, and other members of the committee, by whom he was conducted to a chair of state immediately in front of the orchestra, the National Anthem being sung and the whole company rising. The concert immediately commenced, and was brought to a close shortly after 10 o'clock. We cau hardly congratulate the committee upon their selection of the various pieces which figured in the programme, for they were, far too generally, of a sombre and dre.iry character, which, combined with the unfavorable action of the weather outside seemed to communicate its effects to the executants, as well as to the audience. In fact we have no hesitation is asserting that if the Society desired to present his Excellency with a favorable specimen of their powers, the attempt could hardly be characterised as a successful one. The cheerful chorus from Maritana, " Oh, what pleasure," certainly gave promise of better things, and was very fairly rendered ; and the Honorary Secretary of the Society sang the baritone air from the same opera, "No, my courage now regaining," with all the richness of tone of which his beautiful voice is capable. The third selection from Maritana, " Yes, let me like a soldier fall," demands especial - commendation for the admirable manner in which it was sung by Mr. Walcot, and the clever accompaniments both for the piano and cornet a pistons conduced in no slight degree to its success. A Scotch ballad, "Auld Rob Morris," was beautifully sung by a lady whose welcome presence in the orchestra is always the signal for the heartiest plaudits, and unquestionably merited the encore which followed. The pretty ballad by Barker, " The Summer Dew," which was given by the same lady, near the termination of the concert, also provoked a similar demonstration, and was veiy sweetly sung. The most noteworthy features in the evening's programme were the two songs sung by the Conductor, Mr. Walcot, "Yes, let me like a soldier fall," (Maritana) to which we have already alluded, and Hobbs* exquisite cavatina, "Nina," both of which were interpreted in the most artistic and satisfactory manner. Rarely have we heard Mr. Walcot in better voice, and his execution of the latter morceau especially, assisted very materially by the delicate accompaniment on the piano, exquisitely played, left nothing to be desired. To the Christy Minstrels' song, with chorus, " Weeping sad and lonely," an encore was awarded, which was not unmerited. The part-songs and choruses generally were correctly sung, though they seemed to us to be wanting in verve end spirit, the Soldiers' Chorus, hy Werner, and Sir Henry Bishop's well-known Tramp Chorus, being probably the best specimens during the evening ; the Anvil Chorus from II Trovatore, was taken far too slow. The single instrumental solo of the evening, for the cornet a pistons, came as a very refreshing relief to the general monotony of the programme. The subject Rubini's famous air, " Vivi tv," from Anna Bolena,the two movements of which admit of infinite variety of expression, was well played, and the elaborate termination was rendered with an executive finish which was highly commendable. The programme was brought to a conclusion at an earlier hour than is customary at these concerts, the National Anthem (which had been creditably sung afc the commencement), being given amidst what

might properly be termed a concordia discors. Much might be pleaded in palliation of the shortcomings of this concert, which, we repeat, did not offer a fair representation of the musical talent Avhich under ordinary aud more propitious circumstances the Society has at its command.

We have been requested to state that the parade of Volunteers, including the City Rifles, No. 1, the Cadet Rifles and the Artillery Cadets, will take place tomorrow morniug at a quarter to 10 o'clock at the Depot, instead of half past 10, as advertised this morning. We regret to state that an accident occurred to Mr. George White, about noon to-day, which afc first created very grave apprehensions amongst his numerous friends in this city. It appears that, as he was riding on the Beach road, near Mrs. Otterson's, his horse suddenly took fright aud threw him to the ground, Mr. White falling ou his head with some violence. He was taken up iv an insensible state, but we are happy to learn that he soon became conscious, and was taken in Mr. Poynter' s carriage to his own residence, where he was attended by Dr. Williams. We are happy to add, that there is no reason to believe that Mr. White has sustained anything worse than a severe shock by this untoward accident. We were unable yesterday to obtain a correct list of the gentlemen who were present at the levee held that morning by the Governor at the Provincial Hall. We now supply this deficiency. His Excellency was attended by his suite, by the Superintendent, and the members of the Executive ; and the following gentlemen were presented on the occasion : — Messrs. W. H. Barlow, J. Beit, F. Blundell, T. Brunner, A. S. Braithwaite, C. Hunter Brown, Rev. P. Calder, C. E. Cotterell, A. S. Collins, E. Davidson, A. D. Dobson, N. Edwards, C. Elliott, T. R. Fisher, Rev. A. M. Garin, J. D. Greenwood, E. Green, H. Handy side, F. Huddleston, Winfield Higgins, A. Helps, Rev. G. H. Johnstone, H. D. Jackson, N. T. Lockhart, D. M. Luckie, J. A. Langford, J. Mackay, A. Mackay, J. Mackay, M.A. (Nelson College), T. Mackay, J. M. Merrington, J. R. Mabin. W. M'Rae, A. Pitt, A. J. Richmond, M.H.R., Dr. Scaly, D. Sinclair, J. Sharp, Dr. Squires, S. W. Strong, Reverend the Head Master of Nelson College, Rev. Father Tresallet, S.M., J. W. Tatton, W. H. Turner (Hillmore), F. L. Vickerman, Major E. J. Wilde (H.M.'s Bengal Army), W. Wells, M.H.R., T. Watts, and T. Younger. An instance of awfully sudden death occurred yesterday evening at the Albion Hotel. It appears that a boatman, named James Cambray, who had formerly been engaged iv the whaling trade, and to whom the Royal Humane Society's medal had been awarded for rescuing the crew from a wreck which occurred on the coast of South Australia, had been attacked with paralysis about three years ago, and was admitted a patient into the Nelson Hospital, where he was attended by Dr. Cusack. .He had never entirely recovered from the effects of his first seizure, but was enabled to go about his ordinary avocations, iv which he had been engaged yesterday morning. Yesterday evening, hoAvever, whilst tat ing his tea at the Albion Hotel, where he was staying, he experienced another paralytic seizure,^and almost immediately expired. An inquest took place this morniug at noon, before the Coroner, Dr. Squires, and a jury, when a verdict was returned of " Died from natural causes." The entries for the Nelson Welter Steeplechase aud for the Suburban Steeplechase, to come off at Wakapuaka, on Thursday next, were opened last night at the Bank Hotel, and closed at 9 o'clock. The three following horses were entered for both the Steeplechases : — Captain H. Spiller's g g Harkaway, aU black Mr. J. Trimble's b m Gipsy, pink jacket, black cap Mr. H. Warren's g m Hau-hau, black jacket, red cap ; and for the Farmers' and Licensed Victuallers' Handicap . the following entries were received : — Mr. H. Redwood's eh g Golden Cloud Mr. H. H. Stafford's r f Omen Mr. H. Redwood's b g Blackboy. The medal awarded by the Colonial Government to the best rifle shot of the year in this province, will, we understand, be presented by his Excellency the Governor to Mr. George Elliott, the successful " Medallist " — to use a Cambridge phrase — in front of Panama House, immediately efore his Excellency's departure to-mor-

row morning* The Volunteers and the two Cadet Corps have been summoned to be in attendance on an occasion which must be of the highest interest to every member of the Force, and, we conclude, will form a guard of honour to the Governor at the place of embarkation in a similar manner as on "the occasion of his arrival on Tuesday last. We learn by telegraph from Wellington, that Dr. Knight, the Government Auditor, after a re-examination of the Otago accounts, has reported unfavorably upon them, and the General Government has consequently refused to delegate to Mr. Macandrew the powers in reference to the regulation of the gold-fields, &c, usually delegated to the Superintendent of the province, and Mr. J. B. Bradshaw has heen gazetted as their agent on the gold-fields. There was a panic on Sunday night at the Anglican Cathedral, caused by a fire in the belfry porch, which, however, was soon extinguished, and the service was continued. Colonel Hautyain has returned very ill, and was conveyed to his lodgings on a litter. No further news from the East Coast. A cricket match took place on the Motueka ground, on the 12th and 13th instant, between the Wakefield and Motueka Clubs, Avhich resulted in the victory of the latter by 25 runs ; the Wakefield eleven making 108 in their first and second innings, whilst their opponents scored 133. A dinner subsequently took place at the Motueka Hotel, Mr. R. Sutcliffe, the umpire of the Motueka eleven, being in the chair, faced by the Rev. F. Tripp, the umpire for the Wakefield Club ; and a very agreeable evening was spent by the two teams. The election of a member to represent the district of Westport, on the Buller, in the Provincial Council, has terminated in the return of Mr. Henry Wright, who was declared victorious by a majority of 23 to 17 over his opponent, Mr. Crate. Three candidates have been nominated to represent the district of Cobden in the Nelson Provincial Council, viz., Messrs. Dreyer, James Wilkie, and George Donne, The show of hands was in favor of Mr. Dreyer, and the poll will take place on the 26th instaut. At the election for a representative in the Provincial Council of Canterbury for the town of Greymouth, Mr. Whall obtained a majority of 12 over his oponent, Mr. Harrison, having polled 58 votes to 46. The Hon. the Postmaster-General has published an intimation to the effect that a despatch has been received by the Government by the last mail from the President of the Board of Directors of the Panama Railway Company, announcing that the Board had decided that the charges for the conveyance of newspapers, book packets, and pattern parcels across the Isthmus, should be reduced from lid. per pound to 4d. This alteration has also been communicated to the Home Government, and it will cause an immediate reduction in the rate of postage on newspapers by this route from 3d. to Id. from New Zealand to England, and from 4d. to 2d. from England to New Zealand. The charge on book packets and pattern parcels will also be proportionately reduced. The extra charge of Id. on newspapers from England is collected by the Home Government. Information has been received from the Directors of the P.N.Z. & A.R.M. Company, that the negotiations which have been carried on for the purpose of enabling passengers to book through from New Zealand and Australia to England via New York, have been completed, so that henceforth any passengers wishing to proceed by that route can obtain tickets from the agents at any port in these colonies, which will frank them right, through. Arrangements have also been made by which the R.M. Co.'s steamers which take Australian and New Zealand passengers from Colon to Southampton will cease to call at St. Thomas, and wili in future call at one of tbe Virgin Islands. We congratulate the Company on both these alterations, which will be found a great boon by those travelling by the Panama route. From the Australian papers we learn that the 2nd battalion of the 14th Regiment which lately left this colony for Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart Town, are under orders to embark for Bombay. Also, that Samuel Toms, an Ensign in the 2nd battalion 14th Regiment, has been brought up at the Hobart Town Police Court charged with a felonious assault on a girl under twelve years of age, and remanded.

I His Excellency Sir George Grey on a I recent occasion at the dejeuner given dur- \ ing his visit to Tokomariro, in alluding to ! the resources of Otago, paid the following ■j well merited compliment to the colonists | of the North, who so zealously volunteered t for active service during the last few I years : — " He must not omit to say a few | words in regard to the Volunteers, who $ had joined in giving him such a cordial | reception. Here they were blessed with peace and prosperity, but he hoped they would not give up the Volunteer movement. If it should be their lot to need to take up arms to defend their homes, he could answer for it that no more gallant men could be found in the world than the Volunteers of New Zealand. If laying down their lives at the call of duty — if confronting danger in every possible form — if cheerfully enduring privations and hardships, and being always ready to meet any difficulty or obey any orders, made gallant men and gallant soldiers, then the Volunteers of the North deserved the name ; and if the South ever needed assistance they might depend that those men ■ would back them up, and he had no doubt r the Volunteers of the South would prove equally brave and equally successful." An affair which recently occurred at Dunedin, in connection with a well-known ■\ actor at the Princess Theatre, will not be "i without its interest to many of our readers. • It appears that on the occasion of Mr. and Mrs. Steele's benefit, when Wilmot entered in the character of Lucia di Lammermoor, a remarkable physical resemblance was detected by the major part of the audience to a married lady who was seated in the dress circle. " What conjuration and what mighty magic" the Thespian had made use of to produce so striking a resemblance, of course we cannot say, but the style of wearing the hair, ' dress, etc., assisted the illusion. It may \ supposed that the lady upon jvhom all : eyes were at first turned, looked very happy at this apparition of a second self on 'the stage, but all passed off quietly, ; the lady no doubt considering herself to •'J have been treated "shamefully." However, on the following night, during the -■ representation of the burlesque, the lady's ; husband -feeling himself aggrieved at the . impersonation, had with throbbing heart passed through that sacred portal known as the "stage door." As the gestures of the "illustrious stranger" were somewhat '"■ alarming, and as : moreover he carried a . whip, the carpenters and others engaged . on the stage were not disposed to allow ; him at that time and place to hold "sweet converse" with his neighbor the comedian, and he was compelled to retire without . satiating his revenge upon the offending party. We learn however, that, nowise daunted by his previous ill-success, on the ' third evening he assaulted; Mr. Wilmot, as he was returning from the theatre, and an action for "assault with battery," has \ consequently been brought against Mr. Walter, proprietor of the Occidental Hotel, by the injuried comedian, in the Resident Magistrate's Court. The Grey River Argus states that a company is about to be formed for constructing a line of tramway from the Bul- '.; ler to Charleston (Pakihi). The capital is fixed at £20,000, and the Nelson Go- ! vernment have offered to rdake a grant of land along the line, and survey the line free of charge. The Opuake outpost is (says the Taranaki Herald), to be abandoned by the : military in the course of a fortnight. ; William King Matakatea and Arama Karaka's people are, we hear, to be armed and made responsible for holding the post. The troops are. about to be wilhI drawn from Warea, and ifc is even said ; from the province altogether. These ar- ; rangements for withdrawing the troops = have we presume, been made .by General Chute without consulting -. the Governor - in accordance with Lord Carnarvon's recent despatch, but it remains to be seen : whether Sir George Grey will not still j have a potential voice in the matter. Miss Julia Mathews has concluded her •; engagement at the Theatre Royal, Balla- | rat, and on March 3rd took a farewell •■ benefit, the house being literally crowded, If and the proceeds a trifle under £120. I We (Southland Times) understand that i from representations " from the Provincial I Government, the General Government I has consented te hand over the pastoral i. rents of the Provincial Treasury, less the il amount of interest on the sum of £40,000, il some time since advanced to the Province. 'H The net, proceeds, after deducting this II item, will be about £6500 per annum.

Our Sydney neighbors have hitherto been without a Journal of Commerce, but that desideratum was to be supplied on the Ist April. A prospectus has been issued, and the journal is said to be coming out under very promising auspices. At a meeting of the shareholders of the Waihau Gold Mining Company (limited), held in Auckland on the 23rd ult., it was agreed to wind up the affairs of the company with as little delay as possible. A working boys' evening instruction association has been established in Geelong. Colts, say the Geelong Advertiser, apparently sound in body and limb, were recently sold at auction by Mr. W. S. Howell, and realised prices varying from £1 2s. 6d. to £ 1 7s. 6d, We clip the following little piece of information from a late home paper : — The Colonial Secretary has in his portfolio a . Bill authorising the Confederation of the North American Provinces, and plans for the pacification of Jamaica and Zew Zealand." Perhaps the colonists will be shown to be so well contented with the manner in which the Imperial authorities have already pacified New Zealand, as not to care about any further efforts in that direction. Holloway's Pills. — The most popular medicine for the cure of female complaints. — After many years' experience, it is incontestably proved that there is no medicine equal to Holloway's Pills for the cure of diseases incidental to females — their invigorating and purifying properties render them safe and invaluable. They may be taken by females of all ages for any disorganisation or irregularity of the system, speedily removing the cause — thus restoring the sufferer to robust health. As a female medicine they are unequalled, and may be taken by old and young, restoring health and energy after every other means has proved unsuccessful. 2248