The Inngahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1883.

Inangahua Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1232, 12 February 1883, Page 2

The Inngahua Times, PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1883.

Tenders for the purchase of the estate of W. J. Shaw close to-day, at the office of Mr'Hindmarsh, trustee. The friends of Mr Wm. Watson will be glad to learn that he reached Dunedin on Saturday last. Mr Sbmervel, who has been engaged to erect the water-wheel and winding gear for the Just-in-Time Company, arrived on Saturday evening last, and will enter upon the work at once. A large number of strangers continue to arrive in Reefton almost daily, and amongst the number are two gentlemen largly interested in quartz mining at the Thames, who are now making the rounds of the mines. We are glad to be able to announce that Mr T. Lee has now fully recovered consciousness, and is able to converse with his attendants. His early return to business in unimpaired health may now be looked for. Mr Slesingcry n veterinary surgeon of high repute, is now on a professional visit to Reefton, and will remain hero for a few days. The horse and cattle medicines of Mr Slesinger have won a colonial reputation, and the numerous testimonials he has gained from all the leading stud owners, and livery-stable-keepers throughout Australasia bear abundant proof of the high estimation in which his medicaments are held. Mr Slesinger may be interviewed at Dawson's Hotel. An inquest upon the body of the unfortunate . man Hill Hamilton, drowned in theinangahua River on Friday evening last, was held before G. C. Bowman Esq., acting coroner on Saturday last, when the circumstances of the death, as already reported, were elioited and a verdict of "Accidently drowned" was recorded. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, and was largly attended. To-night has been very considerately Bet apart by Mr Willmott for a benefit to the Reefton Hospital, on which occasion will be produced the powerful drama of "Aurora Floyd," and the immortal "O'Oallaghan on his Last Legs." The latter is probably one of the most mirthprovoking peices ever placed before an audience, and by all old ''Australians is indelibly associated with the name of poor G. V. Brook, who is admitted to have created the part of O'Callaghan. We think then we need hardly invite the public to second Mr Willmott's generosity by awarding the institution a bumper house, for the merit of the programme should command it. The Company proceed to Boatman's to-morrow morning. The Chinaman who died on Friday last was buried yesterday. Upwards of four hundred compatriots followed in the procession. The spectacle was a novel one and attracted a large number of spectators. The body was conveyed in a dray to the cemetery, the mourners straggling along in irregular groups. Arriving at the cemetery, the coffin was deposited near the grave, and a number of lighted' candles having been placed near it, a parcel of Joss papers was ignited, and the bereaved countrymen performed the grand salaam to the accompaniment of innumerable crackers and much smoke. The body was then lowered into the grave, and the grief of the mourners was solaced with lollies, cakes and brandy, ad. lib. Amongst those whose sorrow was. most overpowering, was a strong detachment of Reefton larrikins, who soon looted the commissariat. On the way out of the cemetery, each Chinamen received two snillihgs from the "boss" of the assemblage. The Inangahua river has added another to its many victims. On .Friday afternoon last, a man named Hill Hamilton, while endeavoring to cross the stream- on horseback, above Crushington, was swept away and drowned. The deceased had only crossed the river a short time previously, but did not notice that it was then rising fast, and on the return journey he plunged in, despite the warning of a companion, and whether he missed the ford, or the horse stumbled, is not known, but he at once dissappeared. The horse shortly after was seen to make the opposite bank, and intelligence of the occurence was brought to town. Hamilton was well known throughout the Inangahua, and lately had been engaged prospecting. The river rose to strong flood shortly after the accident, and nightfall coining on no search for the body could be undertaken. On the following morning constable Bamford left for the scene of the occurence, and just before his arrival there the body was found, within a short distance of where the deceased disappeared. The body was brought into town during the day and deposited in the morgue. The attendance at the Oddfellows Hall m Friday evening last was hardly so good is might have been expected for a piece >f such sterling merit as " Rip Van Winkle," and the manner in which it was jlacud on the stage reflects ilia very litflKst credit u^on the management jenerally. The character of "Rip Tan SVir.Ue" was su2tL.ri-.id b\ Ih •' WilMnion, vho wo" grtat v niirs. .011 ;e>~ ]:- xjX,? excellent c^r ep ..\ ot" | .•LauiC • si', xiiocr. who ?..',*!. n^zr. &:m

admired Mr Wilkinson as John Stofel in "Struck Oil" were prepared to find him thoroughly at home as the Dutchman of the 6atßkill Mountains, of " Rip Van Winkle," for the two pieces have a strong family likeness, indeed, it may be said that the former play is merely a reflex of the latter, but between the two characters there is a wide difference, which Mr Wilkinson had not failed to grasp and kept before the audience, and it may be fairly said that if the actor's reputation rested on his " Rip Van Winkle " alone, he would still score high for fame. The Derrick Van Slavs of Mr J. Hesford, was distinguished by the ease and confidence which come of careful and intelligent study, and showed him to be a finished actor. As Knickerbocker, Mr Rede brought out the character prominently, affording a further proof of his versatility of power and ready adaptability over a wide range of character. The part of Herman Van Slavs fell to Mr Brooke, who did it, as indeed he always does, the fullest justice. Seth Peabody (Mr F. S. Simmonds); Judge of the Court, (Mr Marter) ; Clausien (Mr Herman), and the minor characters were all faithfully and pleasingly portrayed. The Danie Van Winkle of Miss Maggie Ford was a piece of charming acting, which contributed in no small way to the succebs of. the piece. As. Alice, Miss Amy Johns was all that could be' desired, her pleasing manner and the zest wiiich she at all times infuses into her acting, giving her a good claim to the rank of a public favorite. Miss Lizzie Lawrence undertook the character of Rowena, and although she had comparatively little to do, succeeded in miking the part pleasingly conspicuous, and so contributed in a large way to the unqualified success of the performance as a whole. A word of praise must also be awarded to the scenic artist, (Mr Hall) for the tasteful decorations. - On Saturday night " The Guvnor " was repeated l»y special request, and went off with equal success, although the attendance was somewhat smaller than on the previous occasion. ' The members of Willmott's Dramatic Company played a match at cricket with the Reefton Club on Saturday afternoon last. The eleven of the „'• company marched to the ground in full stage costume, and the procession presented a very pretty spectacle. The following characters were represented Mr J. Wilkinson (Rip Van Winkle); Mr Brooke (Nana Sahib); Mr Rede (Mr Sceptic) ; Mr Marter (Tipkins); Mr Herman (Clausien); Mr Simmons (Harlequin); Mr Hey wood (Clown) ; Mr Moss (Pantaloon); Mr Hall (Policeman X); Black Eyed Susan, and William. Miss L. Crawford, (Carrie); Miss Amy Johns, (Kate Butterscotch) ; Miss Maggie Ford, (Danie Van Winklfe* ; Miss Lizzie Lawrence {Mrs Montague); Miss JessieHowarde,(Bettie); Miss Kate Howarde, (Alice) and other members of the company were" also present. . The local players, however, infused rather too. much, earnestness into 'the match, and in : protracting the; play deprived the contest; of all the fun. '■ It is we believe, intended to ask the company to play a return match before their departure, on which occasion both elevens to appear in fancy dress, and by adding music and dancing to the occasion a good day's amusement would be provided, and the admission money handed over to the Hospital. The Duke of Athole is keeping up the traditions of his predecessors in regard to tree-planting on a large scale. With the exception of certain governments,, he is probably the largest tree- planter in the world, as he plants every year, from 600,000 to 1,000,000 trees, which become in time a valuable source of income. In the great gale which wrecked the Tay bridge, 80,000 trees were blown down on his plantations.