AMUSEMENTS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4406, 28 September 1871, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

Chokal Society's Hall. — Notwithstanding the very threatening state of the weather, and the heavy intermittent showers which fell yesterday afternoon and e-yening, there was a very large attendance last night at the Choral Society's Hall, on which occasion a promenade concert was given in aid of the funds to be raised for the Prince Alfred ; Troop Royal Cavalry Volunteers. The hall is admirably adapted for a promenade concert, which in this colony as in the old country is n very favourite entertainment among the people. It is so much more pleasant to be in motion during the intervals of the songs aud instrumental performances than ''cribbed, cabined, and. confined" for three or four weary hours to one particular s^at, sometimes so crowded on either aide as to cause one to feel extremely uncomfortable, and, occasionally, much exhausted. The whole of the seats had been removed from the centre of the hall and placed in siDgle rows along the walls, this arrangement giving abundant space for the promenaders. There was ample room for the couples to pass and repass each other without ladies' dresses coming in unpleasant contact with each other ; and, what is equally pleasing, the taste exhibited in the toilettes of each lady visitor admitted of a more minute observation and criticism from female eyes. Amateur singing and instrumental playing is invariably much superior in quality to amateur histrionic efforts, and last night was certainly no exception to the rule. Some of the songa and most of the instrumental solos were quite equal to anything of the kind we have been accustomed to hear at the best amateur concerts in the colony, and not much inferior to those sometimes given by professionals. Where all was so very good, it would be invidious to distinguish any particular name over another, nor could much be said were we to make an attempt ; for each lady and gentleman had selected such parts as suited their powers of giving them effect, so that each effort was excellent of its kind. The really handsome uniforms of the officers and privates of the Prince Alfred Troop presented a very brilliant appearance in the hall; and the number of ladies, all well attired, most of them in excellent taste, and many very elegantly, heightened the effect of the whole. The visitors present, a3 viewed from the gallery, formed a tout ensemble as pleasing as any we have yet witnessed in Auckland. City Hall.— The attendance at the City Hall last niuht was really a good one to witness the performance and hear the son»<s of the American Excelsior Minstrels. The performance was of the usual character, some of the damcing being really good. The instrumental was also, in many things, very good ; and, upon the whole, the performance was a great aucceB3. Many of the performers were frequently applauded, and several encores were called for and given. The athletic sports advertised to take place at the Albert Barracks on Saturday, the 30th instant, are, we understand, postponed.