AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6758, 16 July 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

Tiie first of a series of musical and literary entertainments ia aid of the fund for clearing off the debt on St. Jamea' Chui-ch property, was given on the 20th June in St. James' Hall. There wa3 a yood attendance, aud the Rev. R. F. Maciiicol presided, who made a brief introductory speech. The musicil portion of the proceeding? was undertaken by St. Jame* 1 Church choir, under the able conductorship of Mr. J. G. Culpan, aud Mr. \V. J. Rees played effectively the most of the accompaniments. An excellent programme was arranged. The National Anthem brought the entertainment to a successful conclusion.

A musical and literary entertainment wag j hold at the Kohimarama Training School the other night, in which the children, assisted by other friends, took part. The Rev. Mr. Gulliver presided, and between the friends from St. John's College aud those from Auckland and Onehunga, there were about thirty visitors present, and 100 lads belonging to the institution. An excellent programme wa3 creditably goue through. Miss Mulgan presided at the harmonium. At the close a vote of thanks -was passed to the Chairman, the Rev. Mr. Gulliver. On June 15 a concert was held in the Maungakaramea school room for the benefit of the English Church. Owing to the badness of the roads but few came from a distance.

Still the attendance vras fairly good. The' chair was occupied by Mr. D. C. Wilsos, who opened the proceedings by some remarks on the benefit to be derived froiri churches and their effects generally O'- civilisation. An excellent programme of songs, recitations, &c., was gone through. The proceedings were broaght to a close by einging the National Anthem. Pursuant to announcement, Mis 3 Mariebel Greenwood's concert cams off on the 25th Jnne. The nett proceeds go to the fund for building a new church at Mount Albert, and also in aid of St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby. The conduct of the concert was entrusted to Mr. Gordon Gooch, A.R.A.M. The vocalists wer6 Miss Stephenson, Mrs. Bevitt, Miss Hargrave, Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Gooch, Miss Tapper, Mr. Edwards. Mr. Joseph Hanna, Mr. Moreton. Mr. Slater was the accompanist. The theatre wis crowded in every part. Bishop Luck, Monsignore FsT.es, V.G., Rev. W. Macdonald (Secretary) and several of the Roman Catholic clergy occupied a private box. We must give to Miss Greenwood's performances not only the first place, but a special and separate distinction. It was from first to last a good concert, one of the best that has been given for such an object during some years past. A concert in aid of the Onehunga Public Library and Free Reading Room was held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday evening, the 21st June, and was very successful. The concert was opened by the Onehunga Band, who played a romance, "The Wanderer," very nicely. A number of songs, &c., were given with great success. The National Anthem brought a pleasant and profitable concert to a close, after which dancing was commenced, and kept up with spirit for an hour or two.

The ball which -was given by the Waitetuna bachelors at the schoolhouse on Friday, the 29 th June, was well attended, and was a great success. There were visitors from Whatawhata, Raglan, Te Mata, and Ruapuke. All thoroughly enjoyed themselves, it being fine weather, and the dancing was kept up till daylight. Mr. Jerome acted as master of ceremonies. The anniversary of the Mutual Improvement Society (Remuera) was celebrated on Tuesday, July 3 in the Newmarket Hall by a conversazione. The Rev. Mr. Munro occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings with an address upon the advantages, intellectual and social, that were to be derived from such associations. There was a very large attendance of young ladies and young gentlemen. Refreshments, such as ! fruit, cake, and lemonade, were provided in abundance. The report of the operations of the past year was read by the Secretary. A new feature has been introduced into this society. Members may start subjects for debate by letter. The letters are deposited in a box, and being read, the theme of each writer is fairly open to criticism. Many who do not like to speak have provided some very excellent argumentative writing in this way. The evening was made entertaining by performances on the piano by MiS3 Tait, by songs, recitations, and short speeches. The first of the series of popular concerts, inaugurated by Mr. Pooley, came off on Saturday, June 30, and was a complete success. The audience was, in respect of number, large, and in quality thoroughly appreciative. The programme was judiciously selected; popular and high class music being combined in such a manner as to be attractive equally for critical and the sympathetic hearers.

A vocal and instrumental entertainment took place in the Trinity Church school-room, Devonport, on Monday, July 2, under the auspices of the Devonport Literary Association. There was a good attendance, and tbe programme given was much appreciated. There was a good attendance at the performance of the Hamilton .-Esthetic Minstrels in the Public Gall. Mr. Holloway was the life of the entertainment, and ensured its success. A sum of £13 10s was taken in money and tickets at tbe door. The anniversary of the Havelock and Harbinger of Peace Lodges of Good Templars (New Zealand Order) was celebrated on July 10 in tbe Lome-street Hall. Tea was provided for the members and visitors in the side room, and was served to nearly two hundred persons. After tea there was a musical and vocal entertainment. The programme included glees, duets, part songs. A clarionet solo wa3 performed by Mr. Curtis. The vocalists were Mrs. Bettany, Mrs. Willows, Miss 'Marson, Messrs. Neil, Francis, Worrall, Moreton, and Mason. The musical numbers were followed by a farce, which was a lively " skit " upon the recent whisky " sell " of water versus whisky and brandy, and was written by Mr. J. C. Wilkes. It is intended to repeat this farce on a future occasion. The entertainment was very successful, and the performances were above the ordinary standard of merit. The football match Thames v. Albert was played on the Domain ground on July 2, and resulted in an easy victory for the Auckland team by 24 points, 2 goals and 7 tries, to nil. The Binka' football match was played on the Domain ground on July 7 resulted, contrary to general expectation, in a win for the Combined Banks by three points. The Combined Banks obtained, a goal to the Bank of New Zealand's try. The third of a series of annual matches between tbe employes of Messrs. T. and S. Morrin and Co (Limited) and Messrs. E. Porter and Co. was played on the Domain ground on July 7, and resulted in a win for the Morrinites by 4 points, rather contrary to expectation, as on both previous occasions the Porterites have been victorious, which no doubt had a tendency to make them feel so sanguine of victory.