ELOCUTIONABY ENTERTAINMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3546, 17 December 1881, Page 2

ELOCUTIONABY ENTERTAINMENT.

An ontertainment was given in St. James's Hall last ovonlng, by tho mombers of the Auckland Elocution Class.aßSlstod with musical selections by BBVeralmembors of St.! James's choir. This closs was established some Blx months Bgo by Mr R. S. Barry, and tho ontertainment of last night was intended to subsorvo a twofold purpose, viz., to afford tho public an opportunity of judging tho histrionic talent of the pupils, and also to lend eclat to tho compotltion by tho latter for a prizo silvor medal offored by their inBtruotor. The pupils had previously been allowed to docldo by ballot which of their number were most worthy to enter tho lists tor the trophy, and the verdict had boon in favour of Messrs J. C. Macky, A. J. Kntrlcan, Geo. Smart, and Robt. C. Macklo. The feature of the aifalr, therefore, was the elocutionary contest in which thoso gentlemen woro to ongoge. Mr Ales. Fleming ocoupied the chair, and with a few pertinent remarks opened the prootedings. Mr McCoskria tbon sang " Moot Mo in the Willow Qlen." Miss Maokay executed a pianoforte solo " Jessie's Dream " and Misses Maokle and McMillan, and Meßsrs McCoskrio nnd Entrican, rondered a quartette " The Sisters of the Soa." Tho following recitations were also delivered. •• The Hattlo of Waterloo," by Mr Thomas Maoky. junior; "Tho Burial of Sir John Moore," by Master R. Barry ; and "The Logood of Horatius," Mr W. WiUdlgg. Then followed the elocutionary competition, Mcßsrs vv. Cooper, S. X, Davis, Falconer, Snoddon, and J. M. Geddis being appointed by the audience to act as judges. Tho piece selected for recital was " Tho Battle of Morgarton," and after each gentleman had delivorod It tho judges pronounced Mr J. C. Macky to bo tho winner. Mr Maoky was accordingly presented with tho modal, but ho voluntarily resigned it in favour of R. O. Mackie, who, he explained, had mode tho most rapid progress since the Institution of the class, Tho remainder of tho programme was as follows ■ Keoltation, " The Battle of Hohcnlindon,"Master Swan; Reoitation," The Kxeoutlon of Montroao," Mr X, 8. Barry; duot, "Gathering Flowers," Misßes Mackio and McMillan: dialokuo. from " Coriolanuß," Messrs J. C. Macky and G. Lawrenco; recitation, " The Bachelor's Comolalnt," Mr J. Smart; song, "Castles in the Air," Mies Mercer; recitation, " The Courtier," Mr McCeskrie: dialogue, from the comedy of tha " Helr-at-Law," Messrs J. Bmart. J. Sneddon, and A. Stevenson ; reoitation, " Clarence's Dream." Mr Lawrence; song, "Twickenham Forry"MUß McMillan; recitation, "Woman's Curiosity," Mr A. J. Kntrican ; trio," Yo Shepherds Tell Mo." Misßes McMillan and Macktc. nnd Mr Kntrican. Mr Barry for his rocltation, tho Missea McMillan and Mackie for their duet, and Mies Mercor for her Bong were encored. 'J he passing of avoto of thanks to the chairman and tho singing of the National Anthom brought the entortainment to a close. Mr W. J. Kees very efficiently played the pianoforte accompaniments to tho varioas musical selections.