The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-01 00:00:00

THE NEW QUEEN'S THEATRE, LONG-ACRE.

The large building in Long-acre, nearly facing
Bow-street, so long known to choral societies and the
public as St. Martin's-hall, will be re-opened on the 17th
of this month, without fail, as an elegant and commodious
theatre, with the above title, under the experienced
lesseeship of Mr. Alfred Wigan. The building has
been completely gutted, from basement to roof,
only the outside walls and covering remaining, so
that it is, de facto, a new theatre, and one which will in
every way sustain the reputation of the architect, Mr.
C. J. Phipps, F.S.A., who has already erected large and
important theatres at the following provincial towns—
Bath, Nottingham, South Shields, Brighton, Swansea, and
Bristol. This will be the fourth new playhouse (if we
include St. George's-hall, Regent-street) built and opened
within the last twelve months, ►ttention having been
directed to this branch of enterprise by the recent theatri-
cal free-trade agitation.

BANK 07 BRITISH COLUMBIA.-(THLY DAY.)

A general meeting of the shareholders was held
at noon, at the London Tavern; Mr. T. W. L. Siscassa
in the chair.

The report said :
" In conformity with the promise made by the directors,
the shareholders will observe that the expenses of the
bank have been very materially demeaned during the
past half-year. In consequence of the uncertain condition
of commercial affairs in the United States at the end of
last year, the directors sent instructions to their managers
at the branches to exercise increased caution, and although
the result of such restriction has been to lessen the amount
of buai nese transacted. and therefore temporarily to diminish
the profits of the bank, it has at the same time prevented
losses and has placed the bank in a very strong position
financially, as will be emu from the accompanying accounts.
The directors bare much satisfaction in referring to the
improved prospects of the gold fields in British Columbia,
where for the last six months a steady improvement
Las taken . place, and which by the latest ac-
counts reserved, are confirmed. After paying all
charges, and deducting rebate of interest on bills
not due, the balance at credit of profit and loss on
30th June last, amounted to 7,534/. 15s. 7d. of which the
directors recommend the appropriation of 5,960/. in pal -
Talent of a dividend at the rate of four per cent. per
annum, carrying forward the balance of 1,5744 15.. 7d. to
the current half•year."

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said since the last meeting there had been no fresh bad
debts, and, although the business of the bank was at
present rather limited, be hoped that with returning
public confidence the board would soon be enabled to show
a better result. The branches at Yale and
New Westminster bad been closed. The accounts from the
mines were more encouraging. An accident at one of the
creeks had compelled miners to seek for gold elsewhere,
and at Cariboo it had been found in large quantities, and
rich quartz was being worked. The increase in the num-
ber of resident miners, mentioned at the last meeting,
had continued. As regarded the colony itself, the
question was one of time. It was a British colony, a rich
country, and there was everything that was requisite for a
large population. Any questions from proprietors respect-
ing the position of the bank would be answered at the
office if consistent with the interests of the company.
After a short discussion the report was adopted, and a
dividend at the rate of 4 per cent. per annum declared.

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge
arrived at Gloucester House on Sunday night from Ger
many. Yesterday the dukswas occupied during the whole
of the day at the Horse Guards, and to-morrow his royal
highness goes to Knowsley on a visit to the Earl and
Countess of Derby.

The Marchioness of Downahire and Lady Alice
Hill, the Dal of Hillsborough, and Lord Arthur Hill hers
arrived at Hillsborough Castle, eounty Down, from their
residence in Belgravesoquare.

The Earl and Countess of Yarborough are staying
•:th Colonel and Mrs. Farquhamon at keen=ld.
The Earl and Countess of Stradbroke have ar-
rived at Henham Hall, Suffolk, from visiting the family
estates in the county of Waterford.

Sir John Ramaden, Bart., and the Right Hon.
Edward Horsman, M.P., have had very good sport lately
at Glenfeshie, Kingiissis, N.B. On Thursday last Sir
John, Mr. Horsman, and the young Mackintosh of Mack-
intosh killed seven fine stags, the heaviest weighing lfq,
stone. One day the week previously they killed two stags
of 17 stone each. There had not been one killed at Glen.
feshie so heavy since tho Marquis of Bath had the shooting
10 years ago.

Miss Carpenter delivered a lecture at the Queen's
Institute, Molesworth4treet, Dublin, on Saturday, on the
subject of female work in India. Lord Talbot do Malahide
occupied the chair.

Madame Ristori, with her dramatic troupe, ar-
rived in New York on the 12th ult., on the French steamer
Europe, from Havre.

The French aristocracy this year have shown a
desire to revive hunting on a scale worthy of the days of
the elder Bourbons, and when France was dotted over with
hunting retreats as well as inhabited chateaux. It is be-
coming more and more the fashion to keep bounds, and
form hunting parties, to which ladies are invited. no
following gentlemen have this year organised growls,
daises :—M. Aimed° at Bury, Viscount d'Aucheld at &li-
ver), the Duke de Dondeauville at Gaudeniere, the Duke

de Fitz-James at Loire, Ins., previous to their assembling
at Chambord for some weeks.

The work that at present attracts large audiences
at the New York Theatre is a melodrama entitled Under
the Gastight In this the grand " sensation" is produced
by a horrible villein, who fastens his enemy on a railroad
in such a position that, without a special interposition of
Providence, the next train will infallibly crush him. The
poor wretch is seen stretched across the rails, the noise of
the coming train is heard, and everybody is aghast. He is
saved in the nick of time, and, of course, by a woman.

The Corresponcienza di Roma publishes the text
of a document approving the canonical minutes drawn up
at Monte&wens as to the recent miracles obtained from
God in those two plates by the intercession of the blamed
Benoit Joseph Labre.
A concert for the benefit of a Fenian, wounded
in the disturbances at Tallaglit, took place at the Dublin
Mechanics' Institute, last evening. After the house had
nearly filled, the police became aware of the object of the
entertainment. which bad been kept secret. They at once
closed the doors, and thereby prevented about 1,500 per-
sosu gaining ado:detainee. They dispersed quietly.
The proceedings inside passed off tranquilly.