THE CONTINGENT AT THE PLAY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10480, 19 October 1899, Page 5

THE CONTINGENT AT THE PLAY.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT THE OPERA HOUSE. (Bt Tklegrath.) (fhoji ott» r sfecul corwbspokixbnt.)' WELLINGTON, October ia; Probably never before waa there co much .:' enthusiasm shown in a New Zealand tJhjealjre ': aa was manifested to-night on the occasion of the of tlil3 officers and men of tlie Contingent to the Opera Jffouse, vfhsnir Mr : Pollard's Company was playing the panto* mine of "Ali Baba." T'he street,outade aid the onain entrance to the building was almost blocked with a large crowd anxious.to get a sight of our volunteers. Inside tfoo place was packed. The Contingent came in in batches, the various little parties being .'. cheered as tthoy entered, while in the intervals the pit whistled in chorus, "The.Soldiers ol the Queeo," and otbec martial airs. Tiic theatre was decorated with, many flags. The Governor and tiie Countess of Ranfuriy, accompanied by their daughters (the L&dtea Constance and Aiteen Knax), and Obtain I Alexander, arrived punctually at eight o'clock, and as they entered their -bos the audience rose while the orchestra played tihe National Anthem. The officers of the f Contingent came in immediately after,the. Governor, who Bent ihis private secretory with tut invitation to Major Bobin to take. * wit. in Mb box da tho cenirb of the dress circle J and as he did co, the Commander of ti» Contingent received quite an ovation from the ' audience, who at this graceful recognition on the part of his Excellency cheered hearl%. The whole of the performers and hundred* pf people in the audience wore badges of wnSjte silk ribbons on which was printed the N<fw Ziealand flag, and above it tlio words, "Qood luck to our Contingent's colours." The performance went on with a swing from the very beginning, and as it proceeded, and various patriotic songs were sung,.' wie enthusiasm of the audience knew no bounds. The reference to the "Red, White and Mat), and the waving of numerous flags by the chorus in tho second act, completely roused the people, and subsequently the various tableaux were cheered to the echo. _ Int. , curtain had to bo raised again and »g«**> n • the scene representing the 'Battle tf Omdtirman, while the audience and the Contingeat joined in the chorus of "Soldiers 'ftf ti» , Queen," which was repeated' with i™ vigour several times. A portrait of ine hero of tho late $oudan campaign was tailed with rapturous applause. Then someoi* in the dress circla cried, '"Thres cheers for Kitchener," and these were given laetolv. Towards the close of the .last sceno the height of the enthusiasm reachedjrben MriFitts sang "Seme of Union Jacked the New-Zealand flag wjre unfurled. Then awd**** 'and 1 rtmg joined in singing "Bute fcntanwa. Mge Governor took Ids leave at tiic close of ttie performance, the Whole audience rose abd S "God Save tho tjueen£.the Cwtogg , ■standing at the Bitnte. U sfe™ ' for the the Queen "find etod gfoaS forthe President ol.the Transvwl/