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Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 504, 15 May 1869, Page 2

An Amateur Concert was given at the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening. It was highly successful in achieving both the objects of its promoters. It satisfactorily entertained the many who were present, and it was the means of contributing to the funds of the Westport hospital a handsome sum. It was the means of discovering two other things—that there are some pleasing vocalists in Westport who have not previously been heard in public, and that tohear them properly, in the Masonic Hall, some very great improvement will require to be made in the acoustics of that building. The amateurs who took part in the concert were, in the majority, ladies, and, more with a view to the success of the concert than from any extreme attention to gallantry, the conductors of the concert imposed upon the fair sex the greater part of the work, which they discharged apparently with pleasure to themselves, and undoubtedly with pleasure

to others. The conductors had also the fortitude to invite aid from Charleston, and the fortune to obtain it in the presence of two gentlemen who were, par excellence, the solo vocalists of the evening. The other gentleman amateur., who did not on this occasion'make his " first appearance on any stage," and had not his reputation to make, was scarcely so successful with his comic songs as, on other occasions, we have known him to be. He did not attain the " pitch " of voice necessary to fill the hall, and, in common with the others, suffered from the " stifling " influence of the position in which the singers were placed and the " stuffy" surroundings of the orchestra. Having all respect to the ladies, the song of the evening was, perhaps, that given by the Charleston gentleman amateur who happens to be the possessor of cultivated taste and a good tenor voice. The lady who as a soloist was most strange to the audience, sang also very sweetly the song " Thou art so near and yet so far," making it a memor" able feature of the programme, Two other ladies whose services have never required to be impressed in the cause of contributing to public enjoyment and to the benefit of local institutions, did more than their share as vocalists, or in accompanying each other on the piano; the accompaniments being in each case accurate, unless it was in the concert-pitch of the piano-forte—an excellent instrument lately purchased in Melbourne by Messrs Tonks and Hughes. The choir was well constituted, and had practised well choruses and glees, which were as well selected. If there were what might be called deficiencies, one was the shortness of the programme, which, however, was not observable, as encores, otherwise stupid and unreasonable, made up for it. Another was, perhaps, the absence of a little exclusively instrumental music. A third was an ignorance of the art of lighting up a stage —of lighting it up so that ladies might "look their best." It was really too bad to have the feelings of gallant bosoms hurt by ladies being presented in a " bad light" —with their skirts in a blaze of light, while the " human face divine " was partially or altogether in the shade. An intellectual forehead is not usually improved by the upward shade of a Grecian nose, and the effect upon the nose, in a picturesque point of view, is much the same. Practically the concert produced, by the sale of tickets, .£45 or .£47. The following ion mot has been posted as a notice in the Warden's office:—"For the satisfaction of persons who are unwilling to take off their hats in this office, it is hereby notified that none but gentlemen are expected to do so.—Joseph Giles." Except the stranding of the Amateur, of which notice is taken in our shipping column, there is no news of interest from Mohikinui or the northern diggings. There is apparently chronic dulness. The late roujh weather has done what is rather unusual—diminished the quantity of gold on the beaches, and the fine boat which used to ply to the Wanganui with stores has been " withdrawn from, the trade," and is now at the Buller for sale. "We notice, says the Greymouth Star, a rather ingenious method of advertising, adopted by one of the hatter's establishments at Christchurch. A gentleman advertises that at a public entertainment someone has taken his hat in mistake. The gentleman then describes his hat in full, with all its best points, and concludes with the maker's name and address. Not altogether a bad idea, but perhaps a little too apparent.

A private enquiry has been held before the Resident Magistrate, at Greymouth, into the facts connected with the recent disappearance of a clerk in the employ of N. Edwards and Co., and depositions were taken for the purpose of being forwarded along with a warrant to Victoria. The company recently formed for working the quartz reef at Moonlight have obtained a lease from the Nelson Government of 33 acres—rather a large claim—and intend, says the Grey River Argus, to dispatch some person to Melbourne to purchase the necessary machinery.

A man named James Haus has been killed at Greenstone by the fall of a large quantity of earth.

The W. C. Times learns by telegraph that on Monday the Superintendent of Otago presented an address to Mr Vogel, on leaving the Province of Otago for Auckland. A large number of persons attended, and a purse was intended to accompany tho address. This, however, could not be given, as the returns from out-districts were not in. It is intended, and expected, to collect 500 sovereigns before being handed over.

It is rumoured, says the Wellington Evening Post, that a re-distribution of the judicial districts of the Supreme Court is likely to be made shortly, and that the Wellington District will then be assigned to His Honor Sir George A. Arney, the Chief Jnstice. It is considered likely that the Hon. John Hall will resume the offices of Postmaster General and Electric Telegraph Commissioner shortly before the Assembly meets. The Grey Biver Argus, in noticing the purchase of the Nile bridge, and the Charleston couH-house contract, naively remarks : " The Government seems at the present time to be paying special attention to the wants of this district."

It is significant of the value of property in Wellington that Captain Benson's house has been sold by auction, with its freehold site to Mr W. Turnbull. for £I6OO. The house cost £3OOO two years ago.