Entertainment In the Opera House.

There was a large attendance at the Opera House last evening on the occasion of the entertainment organised by - the Wanganui School Committee in aid of the funds for erecting a fence around the Girls' School. The programme .was considerably altered -from that originally announced, owing to the indisposition of several who had promised to assist and from other causes. The features of the entertainment were the contributions by the pupils of tho Girls and Boys' Schools. The former gave an exhibition of club swinging and wand drill, the performance oi which 'was distinctly creditable to those taking v part and to their instructor. Miss McDonald, who received valuable assistance from Miss Northcote as ac companist. The exercises' were done with clock-like precision, and all the more credit is due to the performers ' seeing that they were handicapped by their dresses and for the want of rooir. on the stage. The boys, too, deservr praise for their marching; drill, and physical exercises, which were distinctly done, and deserved the hearty applause with which they were greeted. One could not help thinking, as to thr lads and lasses gracefully performed their ' 'Various ' evolutions, that these physical exercises would tend to the im-

provement of their health and carriage, and that if more time were devoted to - this- branch of education than to "cramming," the result would be more satisfactory from every point of view. .The programme also included, songs by Mines Austin and Boberts, and Messrs Pinches, Etchings (encored), and Hall (encored); Mr J. Peyman, two recitations; Messrs Gilbey and O'Hara a violin duet; and Mr Boss a -mouth organ solo with variations (encored). Mrs Lockett acted- as accompanist.

Holiday-maker* «- are reminded that the United Cricket Club will hold their ■popular r annual up-river picnic on King's Birthday, . Saturday jnext. Mr F. S. Allen has very kindly placed his lovely property at Bamahika at the Club s disposal and to this ideal picnic spot the Manuwai will take adults for 28 each. The distance from town is 21 miles. No more suitable place for a day's outing could be found on the river. ' The club members are ereatly indebted to Mr Allen for so kindly placing his gronnda at their disposal.

"Chaucer and his /Times" was the subject last evening of the continuation of the series of winter lectures in the Museum Hall, there being a large attendance present to listen to a very interesting discourse by Mr ouig Cohen. M.A. Together with the excellent discriptive matter was interwoven appropriate illustrations- and extracts from Chaucer's -poems, 'including the masterpiece "The Canterbury Tales." At the conclusion of the lecture Mr Cohen was accorded, by acclamation, a very hearty vote of thanks.

We wonld draw our readers' attention to 8 course of lectures to be given (as advertised) in the Museum Hall by Mr Henry Sulley, of Nottingham, England, who has been' lecturing before large audiences in Australia and is now touring New Zealand. By reports of his lectnres in other centres, they have caused great interest in the subjects doalt with, and thoße attending may rest assured of a literary treat. His first lecture, as announced to be given on Sunday night at 7 o'clock, is perhaps one of the most interesting of the courso, especially" in the light of current events. < '