PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1518, 6 October 1868, Page 4

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

"We were very much pleased last night to see afc the Theatre a very full House. It is a patent fact that the improvement in this place of amusement have already been appreciated by the Auckland public. Whether it was the patronage of Colonel Elliott and Ms officers, or whether it was the attraction of the grand opening night, we cannot pretend to say, but certainly there was one of the'best attendances that we have seen for many a long day. The dress circle was really very well filled, the stalls were quite full, and the pit contained, a very fair audience. The performance of consisted of the very long comedy m lire acts of the Honeymoon, which, although well known, is sufficiently clever not to weary the beholder ; moreover "the play affords considerable scope for acting, and the opportunity W as not thrown away upon the leading members of the company. Mrs. Heir appeared as Juliana, and she was, of course, all that could be desired whether as the ambitious flirt or the disappointed wife, she equally vrell fulfilled the arduous

-character. Miss Bhepparde* acted Zamora, -ana ' i«li_hte<l . everyone '■ by -her charming naivete, mEb Baymond, Miss Brown and Miss Montroso <£3 fullijastice to their several parts, and Miss Brown- especially attracted consKierabienQhcem rtevSaJ dance. Mr. Carey .performed the rart of the Duke "Aranza m his usual very life style. Mr. Hydes ludicrous drew forth any amount of laughter as the MocV Duke, and the acting of Mr. W. Byan, as Bolando, was very good • moeed. Miss JA. Gordon was frequently applauded asVolante, £d deservedly so. The entire performance may be said to have gone off most satisfactorily, iid we are sure that the improvements 111 the accommodation will tend not only to a rise m the style of audience, but in-its -Lne view of the stage from the dress circle is no''*" all that could be wished, and, moreover, the former ..annoyances of footsteps and slamming of doors is all done away with, and we have nothing to disturb the sounds from the stage. We are delighted to ses that Mr. Bennett s efforts to redeem the character of the stage in Auckland are meeting with such success.

Dbttby.—A meeting in connection with tho Band of Hope Association is to be held at. Drury Presbyterian Church, on Friday erening next, at seven o'clock. ' Music-Ai ENTEST.UNiiEKT. —The last or the series of musical and literary entertainments lately held at the Edwards-street School-room, will take place at tho Odd Fellows' HaU, on Thursday evening next, at half-past seven. Melanesia* Missiox. —On Friday evening next a meeting is to be held in the Choral Society's new Music Hall, Symonds-street, when the ''Bishops of Melanesia, Christcliurch, Waiapu, -and kelson will give addresses, and collections-will be made in aid of the Melanesian Mission. The Bishop of ]New Zealand and Lichfield will preside on the occasion. Auckland Impeovemeut Societt. —A meetin o- of this Society is to be held this evening in St? Matthew's schoolroom at:7.30 p.m. Nobthebjt Dirrsiox Election. — Mr. H. Dacre having resigned his seat for the Northern Division hr the Provincial Council, two candidates for the vacant seat are, we hear, to be brought forward—Mr. Jerome Cadman, and Mr. A. Fennell, of tho Wade, formerly of Owen and Graham's. Pbotincial Couafbix. —We hear that Mr. Oliver Mays, of the North Shore, and Mr. Alexander Fennell, of the Wade, are spoken of as candidates for the Northern Division. WB.undersfcs.nd that the property in Graham's Town'has been valued at £101,000, and that a tax of id in the £1 is. to be levied. Newton Hall.—The Bev. T. Hamer continued iliis lecture on astronomy,-at the Newton Hall, last evening. The lecture was of a most interesting character, and was (illustrated with diagrams. There .was a fair audience, who seemed (thoroughly satisfied with.the evening a amusement. . Nbw Season Teas.—-We notice that Messrs. E. *nd H. Isaacs .will sale of new season tees this morning at 11 o'clock. CtT.nnowTAN Gashes. —A meeting with a view : to tho next series of Caledonian Gaines is to be > l.eld this evening at~B o'clock at the Perth and: Dundee Hotel. _ t Thb Band of the Boy al Irish,, under the direction of Mr. Quinn, will perform on Go-? vernment House lawn, this afternoon, at three o'clock (weather permitting), the - following is the programme :—March; overture, " Giovanni 3,'AJCO," waltz, "il Bacio," Arditi; leleetioo, " Stiffelio,"Verdi; quadrille, "Serenade," Balfe:; galop, •" Prince Alfred," Quinn; " God Save the Queen." PaovisciAL Hospital. — Beturn of sick treated during the week ending Saturday, October 3rd, 1868 Eemained last return, 73 ; admitted since, 8; .discharged, 7 ; died, 1; remaining, 73:; males, 61s females, 12. Arrangement—Syphilis, 5; diarrhEea 1; cancer, 2; scrofula, 1; phthisis, 12 ; .ophthalmia, 2 ; tumor, 1; brain and nerves, 7; heart, 2; lungs and . bronchia, 6; liver, 2 ; kidiiey, 2 ; dyspepsia, 1; rheumatism, 5.; -burn, 1 ; -cutaneous, 1; fractures, &c., 12 ; debility, 10. A man died from the effect of an injury of of the spine, - which caused general -paralysis. Donations of old linen and calico are solicited.

Inquest.—Yesterday an inquest was held at the Odd Fellows' Arms hotel, Chancery-street, before T. M. Philsou, Esq., v M.D., Coroner, and a jury, to inquire into the circumstances connected with the death of Frederick Ksnner, off Rangitoto, during the gale on Thursday evening , last. After hearing evidence, the jury -returned; a verdict that deceased met his death by acci-dental--drowning. ; Auckland Accounts. —In answer to a question, the Hon. Mr. Hall said the accounts had been, made up to the 31st of July. There was no balance due to Auckland on account of Con-' solidated. Revenue. There was a balance in favor of Auckland on account of Land Fund, but that-.would be more than taken up by payments made by the Government on account of Goldfields' management, including payment of ; Tent to the natives. Coal at Wangarei.—We understand that a f new discovery of coal of a very superior quality has been made at Wareora, near Wangarei. A -ieam eleven- feet in thickness has been disco--▼ered by some natives who were digging for .gum, cropping out on the surface on the ground of Mr. Frater. We have seen specimens at the Public Works Qffice, and the coal appears to be , of a very superior quality. A rush, which promises to be of a most important nature itook place oil Sunday and yesterday to new ground which has been opened ■in the Kew River District. Late on Saturday ■■■afternoon, a miner arrived in town and applied " at the Warden's office for a prospecting claim, on the left hand branch of the Cocka-a-Bulla Creek, New River. He stated the prospects to obtained to be two grains to the dish ; but it .was known that the ground would give far better returns. A prospecting area for four men ■was granted. We also hear that some new and rich ground has been struck on the StoneyLead on the South Beach, near the Saltwater. One

shaft was bottomed on Saturday at fifteen feet, with a splendid prospect. We shsll soon be in /possession of further details— Grey River Argus, September 22.

The Nelson Evening Mail of the Ist insfc. has the following.:—" We learn from good authority that something more than opposition to the Government as a body has actuated some mem-

: bers, at all events of the House of Hepresentatives who recorded their rotes with the Opposition, on the motions lately brought 1 , forward by Messrs. Fox and McLean. A conviction has grownup, and is now strongly entertained, that the present Minister for Defence, Colonel Haultain, is not equal to the onerous responsibility at present imposed on him, and in view of the existing grave aspect of native affairs, it is believed that a paramount necessity exists for ; substituting an efficient head of this important > department. If this surmise be correct, as we have good reason to believe is the case, a defeat ! of the Ministry would in all probability not lead': i to the advent of Mr. Fox to the Premiership, I but to the reconstruction of the present Ministry, i with the substitution of a more capable func- , tionary for the present Minister of Defence." li "VoinKTEEHiKG. —From an early hour vesterday morning a considerable crowd of men were i assembled round the Drill Shed in Princes- ; street, with a view to the enlistment placard j which appeared yesterday. Trpon enquiry, it appeared that the General Government estimates human life at 4s. per day per man. A suit of clothes (a shroud is not included) is to be given to each man, and our paternal rulers will find each man in weapons. We understand that all who are ambitious enough of winning glory and losing scalps at the musket's mouth, to volunteer, are to be shipped at once for the scene of the native disturbances.

.' Chobati Society.—A practice of this society ia to be held this evening the Now Music Hall, Symonds-street, at 7-o'clock. . ' Bifle Coups Aknivebsabt.—Th.e 4th Nov. mext will be the tenth Anniversary of tne establishment of No. 1 Company of tho Auckland Volunteer Bifles as also of No. 6 City Company, and it has beetf thought desirable by some-of-the- members that the event should be ■ commemorated by a supper and ball. The subject was mooted last evening at -the meeting of No. 1 Company, and the matter was left m the hands of Captains Howell and _Batger,_ with power to call a meeting of the two companies to consider the matter. Police. —A man named James Tackefc was apprehended by Constablo Casserly yesterday evening for indecent conduct-in Queen-street. Policb Coubt. —At this Court yesterday nine individuals were punished in the usual manner for drunkenness, and a man named George Bobinson was remanded till this morning for . obtaining £10 10s from Mr. G. Taylor by representing l *.e had an interest in a claim at tho Thames, w.'udi interest he transferred to complainant for the above sum; it turns out, however, that Bobinson has no interest in the claim at all. Witnesses will be brought from the Thames, whose evidence it is expected t* ill set the matter right. The West Coast Times of 27tli, reports that ran amusing incident occurred a few days ago at theHauHau. It appears that M'Gregor and party, four in number, went down their shaft at :tho usual hour in the morning, and that by some mischance, alter they had got down, the rope got thrown off the windlass. "They were thus ■imprisoned at the bottom of their hole, and, in consequence of its depth, their cries for assistance conld not be heard. The baker, who supplied them with bread, was the first to notico their mysterious absence, for he observed, wlieu going to the tent of the party in the evening, that the bread he had left in the morning was untouched. As the night wore on he became •uncomfortable, and communicated his fears to some of the miners working in tho vicinity. A search was-ait once instituted, and nboht midnight they were rescued from their disagreeable position, looking very foolish.

A Provincial Government Gazette wes published yesterday, and contains, amongst other matter, the appointment of L. Broad, Esq., as Warden at the Thames; regulations for leasing the -coal-fields; the acceptance of the resignation of Allan Baillie, Esq., ex-Warden of the Thames goldfields; the extension of -the Auckland Municipal Police Act, 18S6, to Graham's Town, at the Thames; the boundaries of the Newmarket Highway district, also of the Karangahape district; also the alteration of the Mount Albert district, with the amended boundaries, and the definition of the boundaries of the Whau and Maketu anp Kirikiriroa districts. Firstmeetings ofthe electors in the Waipareira, Kirikiriroa, and Whau districts, will take place on the 17th, 24th, and 14th days of the present month respectively. Messrs. E. Fairburn and W. Denham are appointed goldfield surveyors. The Gazette contains assessment roll .of tho North Shore 'highway district, and sundry notices of the Native Land Court.

St. Paul's Church. — The arrangement of the united choirs ,in the chancel of St. Paul's Church, during the Choral Service, * yesterday, -seems to have given very general satisfaction, •and several persons have expressed a wish to us ithat the arrangement.of the choir, in ordinary be somewhat similar. No doubt, in the .confined space of the chancel, the voices become better amalgamated 'before reaching; the congregation, and we confess'to a perception of a very great improvement yesterday, to tho usual singing at St. Paul's Church. We have been requested by Mr. Commissioner Naughton to warn the public generally of the fact, that there are 1 ; at the present time, a num-ber-of worthless cheques in circulation. During the past week, several have been brought to the Police authorities, and yesterday morning two cheques, which had been returned from the bank .with "no account," were brought under the Commissioner's notice—one of them for no less a sum than £38. The .cheques in question have not yet been proved to be forgeries, but bear upon them the impress of something like it. It will be well Tor the public to use great care in receiving cheques at the present time.

The following is Meti Kingi's speech in tho House on a late occasion:—"He said money should not be talked about in connection with the disturbances at the Patea. Man was more valuable than money. (Cheers). The Maoris (Hauhaus) said they would do their worst. The .prestige of the Europeans had gone. The Europeans who-first fell had been eaten. Titokuvriiaro said the flesh of the Europeans was a dainty morsel, and had been partaken of by tho women and children. He intended to go to the Patea after the session with all his people to aid ,the Europeans. (Cheers). He had sent his people to JN r gutuotemanu, and they had assisted the "wounded. <(Cheers). AU the places in 'New Zealand belonged to the Queen. (Cheers). He appealed to his own and the acts of his people as a proof -of his friendliness, although the Government might have treated him badly he would not forsake them. Titokuwharo came to him and said he would only stretch out his hand to ihe great God of Heaven, who would* give him back his land. A newspaper had said the Maori would follow,the Government for £4. He would like to find that man. (Laughter).-. Perhaps he was a mas. that was not to be bought. (Renewed laughter). Perhaps he, that man, was not paid for the work he done in printing. (Loud, laughter and cheers)."

Wonderful Advantages of Drunkenness. —If you wish to be always thirsty be a drunkard ; for the oftcner and more you drink t,lie oftener and more thirsty you will be. If you wish to prevent your friends from raising you in. the world, he a drunkard; and that will defeat all their efforts. If you would effectually counteract your own attempts to do well, be a drunkard ; and you will not bs disappointed. If you wish to repel the endeavours of the whole human race (o raise your character, credit, and prosperity, be a drunkard; and you will most assuredly triumph. If you are determined to he poor, be a drunkard ; and you will be ragged and penniless to your heart's content. If you wish to starve your family, be a drunkard ; and then consume the means of their support. If you would be imposed upon by knaves, be a drunkard; for that will make their task easy. If you wish to be robbed, be a drunkard ; and the thief will do it with greater safety. If you wish to deaden your senses, be a drunkard; > and you will soon be more stupid than an ass. If you are resolved to kill yourself, he a drunkard; and you will hit upon a sure mode of self-destruction. If you would expose both your folly and your secrets, be a drunkard; and they will noon, run out as the liquor runs in. If you think you are too strong, bo a drunkard; and you will soon find yourself subdued by so powerful an enemy. If you would get rid of your money without knowing how, -he a drunkard ; and it will vanish inf. sensibly. If you would have no resource, when unable to labour, save a workhouse, he a drunkard ; and you will he incompetent to provide any. If you are determined to expell all comfort from your house, be a drunkard ; and you will do it effectually. If you would be hated by your family and friends, be | a drunkard; and you will soon be more than disagreeable. If you wish to be a pest to society, be a drunkard ; and you will be avoided as an infection. . If you would smash windows, break the peace, get your bones broken, tumble under ' horses and carts, and bo locked up in the station-house, be a drunkard ; and it will be strange if you do not succeed." If you wish all your prospects in life to be clouded, be a drunkard; and they will soon be dark enough. ' —League Journal.

Auckland* 7 Volunteer Rifles.—There was •a' very'large muster of the Auckland Volunteer Rifles yesterday evening at the : Drill' Shed in Prinoes*streetf when tho usual formula of drill .&c. was gone'through. Immediately after the inspection a meeting was held of. the members of No. 1 Company, for taking into consideration the supplying the members residing in Auckland with new trousers., The Secretary {Mr. J. H. Burns) stated that the funds at the disposal of the Company would not admit of the whnlo of the members being supplied with unmentionables, more particularly as new caps for the entire ■ company had been ordered from England. After some warm discussion as to the value of the patterns produced, the meeting was adjourned'until Thursday evening next at 8 o'clock, at the residence of Captain Howell.

Me. Okjiond, in addressing the House on Mr. M'.Lean's want of confidence motion, said the vote which would be given was not to be interpreted as merely of want of confidence for a good deal of confidence was wanted, but whether it was expedient that hon. Ministers should be kept-in their seats. Tho Premier had boasted that his Government had held office longer than any other in New Zealand, but ho held it under conditions which other Ministers would not accept, and which it was to be hoped no Ministers who might come after him would accept. When the Government brought down a policy they were not to be thanked for that, because they wore either forced to do it or surrender their sects. The local self-government cry was tacked on to a promise of reduction of taxation, as a bait offered to the uneducated portion of tho community, it was the cry of tho Government to bo-raised on tho hustings next election. Tho Government, if they had been honest, would have told the House that their plan could not be carried into effect except by borrowing. Tho Government depended at that moment upon the amount of " consideration " certain persons would accept. They should not allow tho public money to be scrambled for in that way. In reference to the question of local self-government, he saw a line of demarcat on between himself and the leaders of the party who were in fay our of that principle. He was not in favor of cutting the country up into small fragments. The country would not follow tho Premier zn the fight which must follow if it was attempted to centralise everything. The blighting hand of the General Government Was visible in their every act. " Interest " was the only thing which could influence tho Government, a man with ten or twenty votes at his back could influence the Government. A stop must be put to this or the colony would go to perdition. The Rev. Mr. Morris, Presbyterian minister, preached to a numerous and appreciative congregation, in the schoolroom, Tauranga, on Sunday week. The rev. gentleman, who was a passenger by the Jane, has announced his intention of settling down finally among his congregation;— Thames Advertiser, October 5. The Rev. Mr. Cumming preached two eloquent sermons yesterday, in tho morning at Skeen's school-room, Graham's Town, and in the afternoon at Tararu. Tho rev. gentleman has come to this place on a visit from Rnngitikei, and it is hoped that, as a largo field of usefulness exists in these districts, steps will be taken to induce him to remain with vis.-—Tbid.

A meeting of tho Waiotahi Trusteos Highway Board was held at the Graham's Town Oflico on Saturday last, for the reception of the rate roll assessment. Ihe list was laid before the trustees (Mr. Graham occupying the chair), and was unanimously adopted, the assessment on property at ono penary in the pound amounting to £500 ; the value of the property assessed being £120,000. It was resolved that tenders for the collection of the rate should be'advertised for, and tenders are already out fbr the performance of work in road making. Mr. Taylor's tender for road from the wharf to Waiotahi Creek has been accepted, and tenders for the same to Pollen-street will be opened this evening.—Thames Advertiser, October 5.

The Thames Brewing Company.—A meeting of the intending shareholders of this company was held at Butt's Shortland Hotel on tho afternoon of Saturday last. There were only one or two present, and very little was done beyond making preliminary arrangements for immediate operations'. The manager secured by the company is Mr. Robert Aitken, late of Nelson, who has, wo understand, been long, connected with the general business of a brewer; and from his long experience in Nelson, with one of the principal ln-eweries in tho colony, there is no doubt he will prove" a great acquisition to this company. The company will, we understand, be forthwithvincorporated under the Joint Stock Companies Act, and the prospectus will soon be in circulation. It was suggested at the meeting that £2000 be the amount of capital, in 200 shares of £10 each.—lbid. Narrow Escape from Drowning—At about one o'clock yesterday a lad n&med Kelly, very narrowly escaped being drowned by falling over the wood wharf in Custom ■ House-street. It appears that the lad had been playing with some of his companions, and had accidentally fell over the end of the wharf where there is a depth of about Bto 10 feet of water. The cries of several children soon attracted the attention of a number of persons who were near the spot, and when the cry was given of " a boy is drowning," several persons hastened to the rescue. Mr. R. Stone and Mr. Heggerty were two of the first on the spot. Mr. Stone immediately endeavoured to get a boat out, but in tho meantime Mr. Heggarty observing that the poor boy was just about to sink for the last time, with great presence of mind, plunged into the water, and saved the unfortunate lad from a watery grave. Mr. Stone had by this time got a boat ready, and the boy having been placed in it, the three returned to the wharf. The lad vomited a quantity of water when landed on the jetty, and was afterwards taken to his home at Leinster Point, where he was attended to. Mr. Heggarty, who acted with extreme coolness, is deserving of the highest praise for his noble conduct. Fire at Callao. —A most extensive fire has taken place at Callao. It originated, it is believed in the Hotel Confianza, situated in the Callabe Constitution. The fire extended along to the house of the Prefect, and every house was burned up- to the Roma Hotel. In the other direction every house was destroyed to the first opening in a street three or four houses beyond the building formerly known as tho Club Mercantile. Again on the other side; of the • street, the houses running from Alle de Petigro were also burnt to the ground. Altogether, some thirty houses were destroyed, and twenty-seven others seriously damaged. Property amounting to one million dollars has been lost, and only some 10,000 dollars were insured.