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Southland Times, Issue 13478, 11 June 1896, Page 2

Theatre Royal. — Despite the drizzly, sloppy weather Pollard's Opera Company repeated " Paul Jones " yesterday evening to a crowded house, and, as on the first night of their present season, scored a decided success, encores being imperative and n umerous. Miss Maud Beatty thoroughly won the hearts of the audience by her capital impersonation of the hero of the piece, her acting in several of the Bcenu3 displaying considerable dramatic ability. Miss Marion Mitchell as Yvonne is an established favourite by her tasteful sioging and clever acting, and the scenes between these two young ladies were gracefully performed. Mr Will Stevens and clever little Albart (the insect) supplied the humorous element, and occasionally convulsed the audience with laughter, their duet "We are mariners bold," with topical allusions, eliciting no less than three recalls. The whole of the cast was thoroughly well filled, and the performance reflects th>s utmost credit on the man*gem°nt. To-night a change of programme is announced, " Girofle Girofla " being selected.

Might Clash. — Writing on the question of members of a Ministry holding positions on public companies, The Times (London) of 15th April, eaid : — " It is too much to expect that all members of a government should be able to say with Mr Balfour thab they have no exparieace in directing companies.' Bufc we may fairly expect the members of a government not at the same time to act as directors— still less as chair' men — of companies. We report to-day Sir John Gorst's appearance in the latter phar« actor."

Fikld Turnip Competition.— The agents of Messrs Sutton and Sons inform us that out of aix classes of competitors for the prizes awarded under the auspices of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association for the best field of turnips, five who used Sutton's seeds, took first prizes and that most of the second prizes fell to the growers of the same firm's seeds. The judges made special mention of the prizetaker's crop in the class for Swede turnips grown from Sutton's seeds, whose crop of Crimson King Swedes they estimated at 70 tons to the acre ; one turnip (Elephant Swede) picked out by the exhibitor, Mr D. Sutherland, Mosgie!, weighed 294 lb. This firm has a world- wide reputation for the quality of its seeds and in th<3 present competition has well sustained its reputation. Otkramika. — Ploughing is the order of the day, and as better prices are going this year it will give farmers a little more heart to put in crops, no doubt hoping that prices will be still better in the future. The weather has been very mild, with very little frost to wither up the feed for stock. That is fortunate as turnips are not a great crop as a rule ; although some are fortunate in having good fields others will be very short. — I intended saying something about the reason why the people here did not visit the A. and P. Winter Show, but your correspondent " W*. T." has stated the matter so well that it would be superfluous to say anything more, only to express the hope that in future we will be treated like other people ; that is that any special arrangement will be advertised in time for everyone to get a chance of seeing it. — In the death of their second daughter Mr and Mrs McKenzie have the sympathy of a very wide circle of friends, their eldest daughter having died just five months previously, — Own correspondent.

East Invercargill. — The Borough Corinci'^ meeiiag on Tuesday night was attended by the Mayor (Mr James Smith) and Councillors Geddes, Crockett, Galbraitb, Mathieson, Baird, Newman, Bartlett and Cahill. J. Findlay wrote asking the Council to make a crossing opposite his property; also calling attention to the bad condition of the footpath ia McMaster street. — Referred to the Works Committee for execution. Councillor Mathieson moved according to notice " that tenders be called for the removal of night soil and other rubbish for the borough. This was seconded by Councillor Geddes, but after discussion was withdrawn and a committee was appointed to obtain information re the best method of disposing of night Boil, to report at the next meeting of the Council. Councillor Mathieaon moved " that a month's notice be given to the present inspector of nuisances and dog registrar, that hia services are no longer required, and that the offices be combined with the night soil contract, and that all extra jobs be performed by ratepayers. " The motion was withdrawn as it was deemed impolitic to dispense with the service! of the surfaceman ia mid- winter. The remainder of the business was of a routine nature.

Police Court.— At this Court yesterday, before Messrs Gihnourand Scandrett, J's. P., two boys, 15 and 17 years of age respectively, were charged by the police with an attempt to steal from the provision safe at J. S. Baxter's residence. Mr Macalister appeared for accused and pleaded guilty for tliem, buj stated that the attempt was made in April last, that one of the boys hid been subsequently traced, that his father had chastised him, and that he had been taken to Mr Baxter and that he had promised not to prosecute. Sergeant Macdonell stated that such was the case, but inasmuch as that Mr Baxter's safe had previously been several times broken into and thirigs taken away and others destroyed, that petty thefts by boys were prevalent in spite of attempts to suppress them, and that the boy in question had been subsequently untruthful when questioned by the police about his associates in the offence, the police had deemed it necessary to prosecute, Mr Baxter having nothing to do with their proceeding. He also spoke in favour of the parents, who were of good repute and tried to control their children. The Bench pointed out to the younger boy the evil of speaking falsely, cautioned, and discharged him. The elder boy, who had not previously been before the court either, and who was learning a trade, was informed that while he was liable to very severe penalties the Bench had great reluctance to inflict a penalty that would degrade him in his own, or the eyes of hia companions, but in view of his age and his consequently having done wrong against better knowledge, they could not leb him off altogether. They hoped this would be a warning to him and to others and inflicted a fine of 10a. The Bench was pleased to observe that parental neglect wa3 not a conspicuous feature in these oases, as it so often was — but commented strongly on the apathy of the public with reference to juvenile misconduct, pointing out that the well-dis-posed in the community should aid in preventing it, and that every member of it had a right to interfere for its suppression, the consequences pecuniarily and morally having to be borne by the public. The, painfully peculiar attitude of a large section/ of colonial youth towards property — apart from ownership — was alao referred fco.\ They seemed to have no perception of either the inherent value, utility, or beauty of anything that did not actually belong to themselves, and regarded apparently all else, whether belonging to private persons or the public, simply aa matter for destruction or mutilation and defacement of some kind. This propensity the Bench regarded as verj ominous.

Wallace Licensing.— At the annual meeting of the Wallace Licensing Committee on Tuesday all licenses applied for were renewed, explanations being forthcoming where allegations of Sunday trading and selling after hours were made. The Chairman (Mr Poynton, S.M.) said that he was satisfied that nine-tenths of the Sunday trading could be put down by a simple amendment in the Act, making any person found on the premises after hours or on Sunday liable to a penalty of L 2. He had received letters from women in the district complaining about their husbands being in hotels late at night, and if such a law were in force the police would soon be able to send them home. Besides it would be a protection to the publican who was often induced to break the law simply to keep a customer. That law had been in force in England since 1872, and in Irelaud Bince 1874 and it had been found to work very well. The committee agreed " That the Minister for Justice be requested to insert an addition in the Licensing Act to bring it into conformity with the English law imposing a penalty on persons found within premises during prohibited hours."— The provision suggested by Mr Poynton has b3en the law ia Tasmania for years ; the bench sometimes, especially when the licenses is a woman, fining the customer more heavily than the vendor.

Galled Back. —Nelson's old vessel, Fwidroyant, which was some three years as;o repurchased from a German shipbreaker, will Bhortly bo placed on exhibition near London. She is being restored in overy respect to the condition in which she was in when Nelson's flag flew from her masthead. She will carry the greater part of the original armament of 88 guns, and the guns are actually those in use When the ship was in commission. It is proposed to dres3 the crew in the uoatumeof the period. When the Foudroyant ouce more sails the sens, instead of being ignominioualy towed from port to port, she will be the only existing fully-rigged, armed, and manned specimen of the " wooden walls " of England and of the most glorious epoch in the history of the navy. After being on view for a short time in the Thames the Foudroyant will visit tke Naval Exhibition at Ki«l. It is intended during the summer to sail her back to England and exhibit her at all the principal ports in the United Kingdom. It is contemplated also that the vessel should eventually visit the colonies and the United States.

" Great Cry and Little Wool."—Tasmania is actually producing more gold from her mines por month than Western Australia, and Baying very little about it.

The success of the Uhristchurch Exhibition has aroused the Wellington people up to concert pitch. They are going to have a show of their own, and don't you forget it. There will be a good display of that infallible cure for Coughs and Colds, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, which is sold by all Grocers and Chemists at la 6d and 2a 6d,