AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 304, 20 December 1912, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS.

• - —————— OPERA HOUSE. The Opera House wu once more well attended last evening, w__u the current bill was repeated with every auccess. KING GEOKGE THEATRE. A first-class programme was shown _t the niid-wee_ change last night at Uie ___.„ George lii—atre. -liree i_t_i_u.r _ue tures were among tne series. ""_. e «.--_ i_ the r_entucky mus," oae oX the latest pi--ducOons ot tue -..BXL, la worthy lout lassed uuiong their best efforts. The savage waxlare carried on by the rival families, which ends in a pitched battle, is most realistic und e_eiting. "Arabian Treachery" is another hue subject, and will appeal to those who appreciate excitement. A number of lions are not the least important actorß la this picture. "Tbe Masked Smuggler," the other leading feature, is also a fine subject well handled. This is the picture that, when being acted on the coast of England, deceived a clergyman talcing a wait When the supposedly wounded smuggler was being carried along the beach he went to inquire what the matter was, only to find that a cinematograph picture was being taken. "Sports in Moggvland" is a very clever trick picture with marionettes. "A Study in Faces" is both clever and amusing. "Tbe Gaumont Graphic," 167-8, is one of the very latest issued, full of interesting events. The series will run till Saturday. KING'S __________ The King's Theatre was well patronised last evening, when an entirely new programme was presented. The films were all of high average merit. "The Apache Renegade" is a thrilling story of a redskin outlaw in the Far West, and is full of Incident. A dramatic picture of another theme is one entitled "Lord and Pea—ant," which tells the story of how a peasant lover returns to bis old home and finds the girl he loves has married another man. The end is a tragedy resulting in the deaths of both of them. "The Cowboy's Mother" is a drama of the Western cattle lands, and is worked out with great dramatic effect. Other dramatics are included, and Oae comedy section is very entertaining. "Villages and Customs in Ceylon" is a very fine scenic. To-night the same aeries will be shown. -ANSEN. Jansen, who on Boxing Night will appear at the Town Hall with his American Novelty I'ompaay, will present a varied programme. He bringß with him a strong company of vaudeville artists, tocluding Edna Herr, Gertrude Leona, Addie Montague, and Leslie Bates. The box plan opens at Wild_ian and Arey's on Monday morning next. OTHER PICTURE EN____A____BNTS. The Lyric continues to be oae of the favourite picture houses, the attendance last night being very large. At West's Pictures, in tbe Royal Albert Hall, there was a large attendance last night. "A Modern Desdemona," founded on Shakespeare's great tragedy "Othello," is i the feature film at the Globe Continuous ; Pictures, and is of thrilling Interest. Aii sessions at the Queen's Theatre today were well attended, the star film, "The Smuggler's Daughter," especially meeting | with much approbation. I ST. MICHAEL'S CE____T__AS FAIRIn connection with St. _Bc_el's Christmas Fair, which is in progress, nightly at the Royal Kink, j_yber Pass Road, an £:0 tug-ol'-war competition is put on as tue big draw, and it was opened last night with a pull between the Railway and Harbour Board teams. The contest la being puiled on battens, with the result that the lull weight and muscle of the contending men c_u be put in, and eac_ pull rep.esents every ouuce that is in the men. The lldilway men were represented by R. H_uci.c_, G. Stewart, >* McLeod, J. Parker. A. liunst, E. Hawker, K. Hines, B. Browtilee, and T. Ward {captain). The men who pull d for the Harbour Board were J. By_n, v. Sinclair, —. Payne, B*. Henderson, V. buaw, .A. Hind, —. Watson, W. Phillips, and G. liaynes (captain). The Harbour Board team won two -traight pulls, and consequently remain in for the neeond round. When the strain came on iv the first pull Railway got a jump of a couple of inches, but when the Har_our Board men straig—tened tueir bucks the centre knot came back to their side of the line, and thereafter, with each ehailtligL>, the Board men gained an inch till t_ey were fully nine inches to the good, which _dvantage they held till the five minutes' call came. The Harbour Board men had U.e Advantage from the word ",'go" in the second pull, and holding steadily to their skipper's command they increased the advantage to six inches, and held that lead for the final two minutes of the five, despite a desperate challenge from ____ opponents. To-uight, the contest will lie between tue Royal George and Telegraph Linesmen teams There will be a tug decided each. evening, the remainder of the programme for the first draw being:—M~B.O,B. v. Cosmopolitan, Confraternity v. Natives, George Court a bye. CONCERT AT NORT-ECOT-.. A concert In connection with the Royal Oak Lodge, T*.A.O.D_ was tendered by the Auckland brethren in ___ry*s Hall at Northcote last evening. Mr Geo. Fraser (Mayor of Northcote) presided, and there was a large gathering present. The programme was under the direction of Bro. A. Perry, who was ably assisted by tbe secretary (Bro. H. E. Lastell). The items were as follows: Duet. "K-celsior," Messrs H. Pollock and J. Smithson; baritone song, "Thora," Chester Harris; recitation and aria, -"Lend Mc Your Aid." Harry Pollock; 'cello solo, Mr K. Booth; soprano song, "My Land," Miss Gott; song, "The Gladiator," Mr J. Smithson; comic song, "The Other Department, Please," Mr R. Beth; duet, "The Moon Hath Raised."' Messrs H. Pollock and J. Smithson; 'cello song. Mc B_ Booth; song. "The Last Watch," Mr H. Pollock; baritoae soug, Mr U. Booth: soprano song, "The Banks of Allan Water." Miss Gott; s-ng, "Bedouin Love Song," Mr J. Smithson; sketch. "Impersonations of Harry Lauder," Mr Seth. In almost every instance encores were responded to, tlie audience showing their appreciation of the Items by unstinted applause. The accompaniments were played by Bro. A. Perry.