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Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2054, 4 August 1875, Page 2

A meeting- of the Northern Pioneer Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars was held yesterday evening, the Kaiaka school being the place of meeting owing to the New Good Templar Hall not yet being finished. The following previously elected to serve as officers for the current quarter, were, duly installed by the representatives of the Grand Lodge—W.C.T., E. M. Mitchell; W.V.T., W. H. Crick; W. Sec, H. F. W. Colson; W. Financial Sec, K. Kichards; W. Treas., J. Nodder; W.M., E, Douglass; W.1.G., A. Swan ; W.0.G., G. Bird ; W.C., E. Bichards,; W.E.H.S., D. Scott; W.L.H.S., S. Wells; W. A. Sec, J. SonierTille; W,D.H., Webster.

We notice that Airec, the .Air King, will shortly open at the Theatre- lioyal •with a combination company of artistes. Mr Airce's graceful performances will be remembered as ihe leading feature in the programme of Smith's English and Continental Combination. Companj' 1.

The English mail, so far as the Thames is concerned, leaves to-morrow, and though letters may be posted at the office in Mary street up to 8.30 to-morrow ' morning, yet those who wish to avail themselves of the pillar post must do so before 5 pm. to-day. We are sorry to learn that Mr Carpenter, M.P.C., met with an accident on his way home from the meeting last night. He was riding, when from some cause or other the horse stumbled or shied, Mr Carpenter was thrown heavily, sustaining concussion of the brain. He was found insensible some time after* and conveyed to his home. We a re glad to learn that Mr Carpenter is somewhat better to-day, but that it will be some time before he will be completely recovered. From further particulars we learn the accident happened just as Mr; Carpenter:, was starting, and'ifc is believed that the horse was irightened by the flapping of Mr Carpenter's waterproof. The injuries sustained by the unfortunate gentleman are serious. His knee, from being jammed against the gate post, is badly smashed ; he has a bad wound on the temple, and other bruises and abrasions about the head and face. After receiving every attention at the hands of friends in Grahamstown Mr Carpenter was conveyed to his own residence .a,t ParaVai, where he now lies.

The Princess Theatre, the total destruction of which by fire was recorded in yesterday's issue, was the oldest theatre in Dunedip. It was attached to and formed part" of the block of buildings known as the Provincial Hotel. Originally built by Jones, Bird and Co. as a Horse Bazaar, it was for a long time used for that purpose by day, and as a theatre at night, the seats being moveable, and a number of painted fcreens being used to partition off the horse boxes from the pit and stalls of the theatre. The stage in; the early days was at the High street end of the theatre, but as Dunedin progressed under the all powerful influence of extensive gold discoveries and large accessions of population, the horse bazaar business was removed and the building was'transformed into one of the prettiest' theatres in the colony. A dress circle.and private boxes were added, the house was well furnished, and under the proprietorship of Mr Shadrac Jones, some of the largest' companies ever got together in New Zealand were engaged, including many stars some of whom have gone to their long home long ago, and others who have since acquired reputations at home. The present proprietor of the Provincial Hotel and theatre—who is said to be a great loser by the fire—was the ground landlord, and in the early days of Dunedin kept a ■private boarding house known as Stafford House, in a room, of which was carried on the business of the first branch bank in Dunedin, an agency of the Union Bank of Australia.