THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES BY

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5256, 11 May 1895, Page 4

THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES BY

CHILDREN.

A telegram from Auckland Bays :— j People are not generally aware that there j is a law in force respecting the employ- 1 ment ot children in licensed theatres, but a case heard at Whangarei before Mr A. S. Bash, S.M., of Auckland, has brought this fact into prominence. The defendant in the case waa Donald Dinnie, the wellknown athlete, who is at present touring the north with a Variety Company. He was charged by the police under section 5, sub-section 6, of the Children's Protection Act, 1890, with allowing his daughter, ten years of age, to take part in a performance at which prices of admission were charged. Defendant did not appear, but sent a letter from Hikerangu, dated one week back, stating that he could not attend the Court until the end of the month, as his advance sgent had made engagements. Constable Sheehan, in his evidence, stated that on April 27 he visited the Theatre Eoyal at Whangarei and saw the defendant there. Witness asked defendant if he had a permit for his daughter to appear. Defendant then turnod to his wife, who was preeent, and asked her if she had it. She replied to her husband, " No, you have got it." Witness then informed defendant and his wife that if the performance took place, and hiß daughter, under ten years, took part, a prosecution would follow. WitneßS visited the theAtre at 8 p.m. on April 27, and he witnessed the girl perform from 8 p.m. till 9 p.m. She then remained in the ticket office till 10.30 p.m. ' The. child was advertised on tho posters as being; six and a half years of age. Witnessthought that she was between soven and ; nine years of age. Corroborative evidence was given. Mr Bush, S.M., imposed a fine of £5 with costs, in default fourteen days' imprisonment.

TARANAKI PETROLEUM SPRINGS.

A New Plymouth journal says :— -As there ia great interest takon in the boring operations at Moturoa, we have applied to Mr Samuel for information aa to the progress being made. We learn that Mr Fair, after eucceodingin clearing tho bore, resumed drilling, and fouud, aB he anticipated, at the depth of 875 feet previously reached, soft oily matter, from which good indications of oil were obtained. But, after a few feet, haTd papa rock waa again reached, and thus tho hopes that were entertained, that a large deposit of oil was reached, were dispelled. Mr Fair has now bored down to about 900 feet, and is at present on hard papa rook, but he etill hopes to reach payable oil before hia -con-, tract depth of 1000 feet is attained.