THE BALLAARAT THEATRE TAKEN BY STORM.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2177, 9 March 1865, Page 8

THE BALLAARAT THEATRE TAKEN BY STORM.

Our readers are aware that some time ago tho Theatre Boyai, Ballaarat, was purchased by the Temperance League, and tliat in consequence of tho vendees not fulfilling the terms of sale the building was subsequently sold at auction to Mr. W. Craig. The new purchaser was refused possession hy the representatives of the League, who made arrangements to defend their assumed rights, if necessary, by force. On Monday, Mr, Craig obtained pas-session under circumstances thus reported in the Ballaarat Star: — "The signboard of the Temperance League was removed in the forenoon, and placards exhibited outside announcing the early appearance within its walls of the Lcnton troupe of acrobats, to wliom, we understand, tbo theatre has been let for a fortnight from Monday next, after the expiry of which term it will bo closed for a few weeks for repairs, ancl then re-opened for theatrical entertainments. Many versions of the mode in which Mr. Craig got or took possession ofthe building obtained currency in tho course of the day, the public evincing a lively interest in the affair ; but we believe tlie following is tho true, version :-It appears that three men had been holding possession on behalf of tho Temperance League for some time, aud that at an early hour on Monday morning two of these, for some purpose or another, left their post, leaving tha third, an a gad man, sole defender of the citadel. At this juncture threo men — carpenters, it is said — obtained an entrance, by means of a ladder, through one of- the, back windows. They soon overhauled the solitary occupant, and ho, no doubt, well understandingtheir business, made at one of them with an old stage sword that he carried ; a dog, also attached to the interest of the League, commenced an attack upon one of the others. The dog was soon overpowered and muzzlod, but the descending sword of the brave defender of temperance rights, which threatened to demolish ono of the intruders at least, was rendered harmless through the blade parting company with tho hilt at the critical moment. Tho solitary defender (if the dog doe.s not count) was thus at the mercy of the intruders, and was speedily j bound by them. At thia moment Mr. Craig | arrived arid took possession, aud tho man as ho lay in the bonds was taken to the door and left outside. Ono of the truant watchmen afterwards entered the. building, but ha was speedily shown j the. door, and in a manner not the most genteel, Possession of the theatre boing thus secured. | measures were taken to keep it, and a party of ! live were left in ehargo."-— Melbourne Herald. i Extort ov Nklson Gold. — Tbe Examiner, I Marcb 7, says : — ln our paper on Saturday last we very preatly under-stated the quantity of gold shipped on board the Prince Alfred, for Sydney, on the preceding day. Instead of 5,497 ouncee, ns stated by us, (here wero 8,145 ounces of gold shipped trom Nelson, chiefly the produce ofthe | West. Ooast gold fl.ld, for the preceding month ; lof this quantity *>, 845 ounces were shipped by the ! Back of New Zealand, 3,001) ounces by the Bank '• of New South Wales, and 2,3.10 ounces by tflQ 1 Union Bank of Australia.