AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1751, 24 September 1875, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE CONVENT

SCHOOLS.

In a worthy cause the Hobson Band Minstrels did their utmost to amuse a select and full house at ihc City Hall last evening1. The hall was crowded, no doubt in a measure owing- to their foi ethought in postponing their entertainment for a week out of respect to 'Father Boibieux, who expired the day before their advertised intention of giving their services in aid of the Pamell Convent and the Schools and Church of St John the Baptist, 'l he first pare of ihe programme (the " chair business"), was the bet-t of the evening, and the singers acquitted themselves admit ably. The " cornermen," Messrs W. Seton and D. Bertie, were exceedingly good,hut their jokes were as old as Adam; local Jokes are wanted. Mr T. Seton's song " Little Sister's Gone to Sleep," was sweetly sung, and w«s encored, as was most of the others. Mr W. Walker satg '• Let theAugels in," and was really excellent; his voice (a strong bass), suiting the sublime words. He will, by carefully nursing his voice, make one of the best amateur siiigers in Auckland. " Katie Dean,' a comic negro song, was sung by Sir D. L'ertie, and created a deal of laughter. In spi eof his t lack face we fancy we recopnised one of our numerous satellites. Mr T. B Hull, who is ever ready ii a good cause, sang "Maggie May" with credit, and ,v»s appreciated by the audience. Th« next part was "Scenes frtm the Circrs ;" it caused seme laughter on account of it? absurdity; but unit ss these absurdities are well j erformed, and the actors are prepared to put life into it, and any quantity of ready local wit, and the " gag-" peculiar to these sketches, they don't g*. down, .and they didn't in this case. We are only giving th.Hobson boys a friendly hint, and we know they will profit by it When anything of local interest turns up, do ub Captain Cuttle did, make a note of it, and give it to the audience with gusto. They will appreciate it, and come again for more. Several other Bongs atd dances followed, amongst which we noticed a pretty song and dance " Where the Flowers Blush and Bloom," (Mr Fred. Rice, another of our satellites), and was well gone through. Mr Hull's next song " I Want to Kiss Pap» Gc od Night," was really excellent, and was the sweete.-t song of the evening. An encore was demanded, wheD averse of the ballad was repeated. The whole concludfd with a face eij titled ' Murder Will Out." r fter the perforn ance, about a hundred remained, and dancingwas kept up till two o'clock.

" EAST LYNNE."

Thispppular and emotional play was represented last evening at the P/ince of Wales lheatre befoie a numerous audience with great success The drama is composed of five parts, and occupies the evening ; still the interest and variety of incident are so well sustained, ihatrotbirg like weariness is fe t by the auditory. The cbaracier of Lady Isabel, in the beeping of Miss Carry George, was a masterpiece ©f acting, and seerued in happy consonance with the peculiar and rare talents of that admirable artiste,- wno appeared to great advantage. The Carole of Mr Lawrtnce was also of the first water, and presented in his btst guise by that gentleman. Ihe rapt attention of tbe people evinced their thoioiun appreciation of na.ural alility. Mr Collier as Captain Itvison, performed his part whh his usual ability. Miss J rama Jogers indicated that she was not a novice in the dramatic art. Her rendering o! Barbara Hare was thorough and life-like. Mr CharlesSearle as Lord Mount i-evern ws s good, although with less opportunities for displaying that gentleman's histronic abilities. Cornelia Carlylo found a tnnh'ul exponent in Mrs Charles Searle, who possesses the pleasing faculty of making the most tf a meagre subject—not that Cornelia was mengrein her person, or lacking framework, Messrs Burton, Hill. Sweeney, Kingston, and the several ladies weie successful in their representation of a popular play. We invite attention to the fact that the famous comccj by Bobertson, entitled ' School," which was so wel) received on a previous night, will be reproduced thi* vening to conclude with ' Paying with F re." The " Octoroon" has been prepared for to-morxow night.

MR. DENNES' MUSIC-VL ANB OKTHOGRAPHI

CAL COMPETITION.

The large rocm of the Young Men's Christian Association was crowded last evening in consequerce of the Musical Competition and Spelling Bee for three sewing machines, given by Mr Dennes, of Queenstreet. There were sixteen young lady competitors, aud they all played remarkably well. The judges or the occasion were Messrs Lambert and Beale, jun. At tbe close of the trial pieces, the younger judge made a statement reacting the pitces, but not in sufficiently clear and intelligible tones as to make himself understood. Thee was then a clamour for the names of the successful ladies, when Key. Edwin Browne, of the Training School, who acted as chairman, announced that Mies Annie Havles was the winner of the trize among the seventeens, and Miss Bertha Turrell the t-earer off of the palm among- those under fifteen. We noticed around th» hall, the parents of the girls, who appeared in a state of the utmost anxiety awaitine the issue. We would respectively recommend in future, should a similar musical competition be held, that briefer musical pieces be introduced, as some of those last night occupied nearly a quarter of an hour, consequently if. was a quarter past ten o'clock before the selections were got through, and many list«nerg who had a lor>g way to go began to yawn. On the announcement of the Spelling Bee for the third machine, there was a general rush on ts the platform, and the pronoun cer was thrust off on to the floor. At last the number was reduced to thirty, and the p>ize awarded to Master Elkin.who carried off the sewii g machine in triumph The following is a list of competitors by piano playing : Under the age of 15—Misses EUiott, Turrell, SiVr* 8. fouug. Prime, Edger, Gilmonr. Richards and ruiy. Over 15 years, or those who had previously performed in public—Mi«ses Annie Hales, Jessie Hales, B. Kirby, H. Brabazon, J. Craig, and A.

1 s ■a § S | I • 9 Q> O £ "v !S r—! a 2 s. § v i« TTn*erls- H 3 B W M H MissTurrell 8 10 6 5 7- £6 M™ Eager 8 10 3 6 9- 35 MhsDavis 5 8 10 5 5- 33 Over 15— Miss Annie Hales .. .. 4 6 5 2 6— 92 >i is« Agnes Craig .. ..88023 21 Mj.aßKirby .. „ 6 6 4 0 I Judges— Mestrs J. A. Beale and Lambert. PARVELL CKOQTJET CLUB The people of Parnell are inviced to attend thn entertainment got tip for to-night by the Parneii SI? nfat& r°-Y ed *r^- f readingg-

BEE AT THE FORTH SHORE. A musical entertainment and spelling bee was held at Tevouport last night itt aid ff the harmonium fund of Trinity Church. The Rev. Mr Bates occupied the chair, and he and Mr J. B. Kussell judged the efforts of the various competitors. Mr Hipgins conducted the m«sir.'»l {.art of the programme with much ability. Mr Fletcher won the adult prize, but afterwards gave it to a young laoy, who challenged anyone in tine room of her ovn r<ge to a ccntcst but was defeated The juvenile prizes were wen by Master Kdward Hill Ist prize, ana Miss Jaret Grey 2nd piiie. The receipts at the dror amounted to £i.