LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 206, 18 December 1876, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Bachelcler's Pantascope was brought to a close 011 Saturday evening, and at its conclusion a l.irge number of valuable prizes were distributed. Indeed, it is a perfect matter for wonder lioty the spirited proprietor could act in the g-nerous manner in which he did without being a serious loser. The attendance at the Hall was not by any means a large one, yet the distribution of gift 3 was iti no way affected or curtailed on that account, and we certainly imagine that the value given aw:iy would far outweigh the takings of the evening. After some forty or fifty smaller prizes had been drawn for, there still remained the ormulu clock, tea and coffee service, fan y work-box, four bottle liqueurstand, and various others. Much amusement was afforded by the peculiar prizes which fell to the different recipients. The members of the Railway Conference, who happened to be present, did not go away empty handed, one gentleman receiving a couple of silver-plated tablespoons, while another was seen flourishing a beaded flycatcher. We have been asked by the Sub-Inspector to correct an error which appeared in our Police report on Saturday, with regard to the now celebrated d<-g case. It appears the police did not abandon the charge, as stated by us—on the contrary, the accused owes his liberty to the fact that there appeared to l.e not sufficient evidence to convict him With this circumstance promiuently in the foreground, it must be admitted that the lad has just cause of complaint at being locked up for twenty-four hours after the evidence establishing that fact had been given. "We make the correction with pleasure ; but the ! admission is far from creditable to those concerned. We have received from Mr. Carncross a copy of "Melbourne Punch Almanac" for the coming year, which, as usual, is brimful of fun and jollity. In addition to numerous factious wood-cuts, it perfectly bristles with satire, wit, and humor, the prospective occurrences for each day in the year bring a never-failing-source of mirth and laughter. The cream, however, of the whole publication is the centre cartoon—a two-page engraving—of "Heal Federation." The scene of the skit is supposed to be the Parliament House, with a fat old dowager in the Speaker's chair, while the Premiere (lady) is addressing the House. In the foreground is Sir Julius, Lady, and Master Vogel (the latter in arms), most of the senators being armed with at least a couple of olive branches. It is rarely so much amusement is contained in such small bulk, and by the outlay of one sixpence a fund of mirth for at least a week may be obtained in " Punch's Almanac." The Auckland evening journal possesses a dramatic critic who can gush splendidly. This is how he describes Mrs. JLingard in "Our J'oys " :—"The splendid contour of her flowing figure, the turn of her queenly head, and the graceful elegance attending all her movements, are enough to turn the heads of all the youth, of our city. She enhances

these natural charms by exquisite taste in her dressing, and by the most delightfully natural coquettishness of manner. If a woman like this will stand upon the stage, and in all the glory of her beauty, with artful artlessness, say, ' I do not know much about kisses, but I am ready and willing to take an awful lot of teaching,' can she be displeased if a hundred young fellows start in their seats with the scarcely suppressed exclamation, 'By Jove, I'm there for one !' "