On Music and the Opera TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 38

On Music and the Opera TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — "Music hath charms to sooth "tho savage breast " is an old saying, and undoubtedly true beyond dispute, even when a simple tune, but when of a high class it is entrancing. It has been the charm of all ages, and will continue so for all time. . - The " flower garden " of music is. I think, the opera— for does it not comprise tha bouquets of the great composers, and is it not the most refining of all our amusements? We go to the opera with all the cares and worms of life upon us. The orchestra strikes up. *nd we are instantly diverted and carried away u> expectation of what is to follow. The curtain rises, and we find ourselves up to our necks in love with the " divine art " and. its acoom.plishmenfcs, the beautiful scenery, the striking situations, the lovely voices, the dancing, and the witticisms of the comical man. All these go to make up a panorama -which takes us away from ourselves, and the serious thingi of this life, for the world is a stage which to the greatest number has more of the tragioal element in ifc than of fche comical. Therefore, I think our amusement should be provided always so as not to have too much of the one thing, but with the sunny side always predominant.—l am, &0.. , W. A. FxaTX. Dunedin, June 2.

The Mayor of Wellington (Mr Blair) ha 3 Informed fche City Council that he intends to bring before ifc proposals for fehe introduction of legislation which will give it power to take land for widening streets, and to impose a better* meat rate on the owners of tand benefited by fche works Unless such legislation is obtained, be states, itwili'be impossible for fche council to widen any of the streets At the Invercragtli criminal sessions, which iipen before Judge Pennsfathsr on June 13, ther« are 18 cases against 12 »ccused, including charges of arson and horse-stealing. There are also five , civil actions, including James Fleming ». Bank of New Zealand, who claims £10,000 damages for the dishonouring pf certain chromes } and the Rer. J. Smellio v. B. G. Macpherson, fche proprietor- of the Wyndham Farmer, nba claims £1000 damages for alleged Utftfe