Local Intelligence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 1952, 3 September 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Thb Tovn* Board JAct. — Meeting of th c electors ov Lamhton Ward. — -k meeting of the electors of Lambton Ward, was held on last Tuesday evening, at Barrett's Hotel, fer the purI pose of considering the nomination of three Commissioners uuder the above Act. G. Moore, Esq., having been chosen Chairman, stated at some length the objects for which the meeting had been convened ; he admitted that there were many defects in the Act, but he believed they would be remedied as tbe measure came into general working order; he hoped, above all things, there would be no factious opposition shown, and he was sorry to observe, by an advertisement in a public newspaper, that there was a step being made in that direction. Messrs W.Allen, J. H. Wallace, T. McKenzie, and C. B. Carter respectively addressed the meeting, and in the course of their remarks they pointed out several defects in the law as it at present stood, {Jnot the least of which, was the time allowed for rating all the land in town, (14 days) after tbe Board of Commissioners had been elected. The following gentlemen were then proposed as fit and proper persons to represent the interests of the Lambton Ward in the Board, viz : — Mr W. Allen proposed, and Mr Birr aud seconded, the nomination of Mr L. Levy ; Mr C. R. Carter proposed, and Mr Lyon seconded, the nomination of Mr G. Moore; Mr J. H . Wallace proposed, and Air Lyon seconded, the nomination of Mr C. D. Barraud ; Mr Mosa proposed, and Mr Plimmer seconded, the nomination of Mr W. Turnbull. Mr W. Allen, and one or two other gentlemen were proposed, but declined to be put iv nomination. Crowded Out. — The pressure on our space today, from ths reports of the Supreme Court, and the Superintendent's visit to the Wairarapa, has prevented the insertion of our Wairarapa correspondent's letter, and several other communications, all of which will appear on Saturday. Supreme Court. — Owing to the late sitting of the Court yesteiday, we are unable to get the report of the proceedingi in to-day's issue. George Lee, and Bebecca Ann Biddle, were found guilty of felony, and tbe male ptisoner was sentenced to 4 years penal servitude, and the female to eighteen months | with hard labour. All the nine military rioters wero found guilty, and received sentences varying from^two to 9 months each. The Town Board.— Mr J. H. Homer is in the field as a cnndidate to represent the Te Aro Ward, at the Wellington Town Board, and has issued an address to tbe electors containing an elaborate exposition of his political opinions. Amateur Performance. — The members of the W. C. D. F. Dramatic Club gave an entertainment ou Monday evening last, at the Lyceum Theatre, and despite the inclemency of the weather, a full houee was present to witness their debut. The first piece "Hasty Conclusion" was got through very well, although, we thought the actors might have been a little more spirited in the dialogue, which would have tended much to its success. This piece was followed by some capital dancing by Troopers Carey and Spiers, the latter appearing in costume. Some clever imitations of a musical box was given by Trooper Bichardson, and heartily enjoyed by the audience. The piece d' resistance, however, of the evening, was Byron's burlesque of the " Lady of Lyons." To those who had seen this celebrated burlesque before, the undertaking seemed a hazardous one, but if any had misgivings, they were doomed to disappointmeni, as the pieoe was got through admirably from beginning to end. Itis not right to criticise amateur performances at all, or to select individuals for praise where all endeavour to do tbeir best, but we oannot allow this opportunity to pass, without saying a word or two about this pieoe andj those engaged iv its production. Of course a burlesque must be enjoyed as the ludicrous positions of the actors on the stags, and tbe tortuous puns the author compels them to make, are bound, to cause a laugh; but it requires good acting togire effect to the authors meaning both in position aud punning. Fanoy the rich daughter of Lyons line Deschappelles) being represented by a sixfooter (T. Earles) and the somewhat faded Widow Melnotte, by a Sergeant (Morton) who has served his country bravely, and by his present position evidently wishes to do so again. Or look at that little fellow (?) dressed in salmon oolored trousers, and say whether you could recognise the romantic Claude. We say look at all these and suppress a laugh if you can. But to the actors. The " heavy villain,'' Beauseant, was admirably played by Trooper H. Ross, who displayed an amount of ability rarely to he found among amateurs, indeed, we may say he was the "life ofj the piece." often rescuing others out of a dilemma, that "scage fright" or bad memory had thrown them into. Pauline was well, we may Bfty_<?.r<gH^t»g/y trnt nn. and found » gc,a£ rop lvoD u~ti"ve in Trooper Earles, who so managed his voice as to render his speeches " something like a woman." Sergeant-Major Morton was ali at home as the Widow Meluotte, and drew down roars of laughter at his quaint " make-up,'' and the motherly affection he (we beg pardon, she) expressed for her darling boy. Claude Melnotte, (Miss Williams) was a very fair impersonation, and as we believe this was the first attempt at burlesque by this youug actress, augured well for future success. The other characters might have been more appropriately cast, but tlis audience were amused, ani, but for a slight accident with the soenery, everything went smoothly. Too much praise oannot be given to Mr Ross ; not only for his excellent acting, but for the manner in which, in his position of Stage Manager, he has brought his artistes to the state of perfection he has dene. At the conclusion" Pauline," "Beauseant," "The Widow," aad •• Claude" were called, but instead of appearing, the curtain rose and discovered the " last group," who repeated the song the ourtain had dropped to. The same performance was repeated last night to a crowded house, and were as suoceesful as in their previous representation. The Auckland Volunteers and Militia. — His Excellency the Governor has been petitioned I by the Volanteers in Auckland for an increase wf pay while they are engaged on actual service. The \ chief ground is the privations experienoed by the j wives and families of the married men, during their absence. A letter is published in the Auokland ' papers, conveying General Cameron's unqualified ' approbation of the Volunteers and Militia while ou ' active servioe, and on the occasion of the recent i alarm ; and it must be a source of gratification to i them to have gained the approval of one so quali- i fiad to judge of their merits, ;

Califobnian Circus. — The Pavilion opens this evening with fresh novelties, and as it is the last performance but one, we doubt not there will be a bumper house, We understand Mr Foley intends making a professional visit to the Hutt. The Prince Alfred's Mail. — We beg to call attention to what appears to be a very serious neglect, on the Postmaster at Nelson. The Prince Alfred arrived at Nelson from Sydney early on Monday morning, and the Lady Bird left there late in the eveniug. Although some twelve or fourteen hours intervened, yet the Prince Alfred's mail was not sent on, and we shall have to wait for it until Saturday. The neglect is so great, that we hope it will be noticed in the proper quarter. ___«.