THE OPERA COMPANY.

Evening Post, Volume XLIX, Issue 94, 22 April 1895, Page 3

THE OPERA COMPANY.

♦ After two successful performances at the Opera House on Saturday, the week of " Uncle Tom" was brought to a'olose. The matters to which we called attention in writing our first notice of this production were largely remedied during the week, and in it Mr. Pollard has now a strong attraction, which should stand him in good stead whereever he may go. It affords marked evidence of the' versatility and ability of his company, and its setting is very fine. Further alteration will be necessary in the arrangement of the "Living Bridge" soene, to give that sensation its due effect, bnt this will no doubt be seen to in future productions. Master Percy's impersonation, of Uncle Tom, conscientious as all that young artist's interpretations are from the beginning, h»B now developed till it is a most touching conception, and the other principals play so well up to hi'n that the serious Bcenes have assumed quite a pathetic interest, and tears were often forced from the audience. Last evening the company gave a saored concert to a crowded house, when Misses Metcalfe, Mitchell, Sandford, Maud and May Beatty, and Nelly Wilson, and Masters W. Percy and A. Stephens; sang. M. "Wilimoff, the company's clever orchestral leader, played the Wieniawsky " Legende " very finely, and Master E. Plowman gave a cornet solo. To-night Offenbaoh's comic opera of " Madame Favart," respecting whioh we gave particulars on Saturday, wul be staged for the first time in Wellington. Preparations are now going on for the benefit to be tendered to Mr. Pollard on Friday, and the box plan will be opened at Holliday's to-morrow.

This morning, abont 10 o'clock, Mr. Joseph Hammond, aged 82 years, dropped dead in Cubi-street. Deceased, who resided with his son-in'law, Sir. Campbell, watchmaker, of Ghnzneo-Btroet, breakfasted at 9 o'clook and then went to Upper Cuba-street to superintend some workmen who were engaged on some cottages he owned there. Mr. Hammond was in the aot of Riving instructionsto the men when he fell to the ground, and before Dr. Teare, who was sent for, arrived , life was extinct. Deceased was born in Stafford, and arrived in the colonies 40 years ago. After encountering the usual hardships incidental to the early goldfields dayß, he arrived in Wellington, about 30 yeare ago, and entered into business, gaining general respect. Mr. Bethune, the second engineer of the Hinemoa, has submitted to Sir Walter Bailer a specimen of the tern from the Bounty Islands, for which Mr. Henry Travera proposed the name of Sterna Bethunei, as mentioned by us a short time Bince. It is a. lovely bird, having similar plumage to Sterna Antarctica, but with a white tail and arterial red bill and feet. But it is not a new bird, having already been described in a German periodical under the name of Sterna Virgata, Cab. (See Journal fur Ornitholoeie, 1875, p. 449, and Fioo. Zool. Soo., 1876, p. 646.) In connection with the procession of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday, the musio performed included Emmerich's "Conntibor," " Crediti Propter," and "Beati Omnea," and BoisPa ''Magnificat" and "Lauda Jerusalem." The solo parts were taken by Mrs. Swift and Miss render, soprani; Mr. Cimino and Mis* Sannders, alti; Messrs Gamble and Laishley, tenors ; and Messrs Loughnan and M'Mannaway, bassei, and the choir was mrpported by an orohestra led by Mr. Hotop. Miss Kelly was at the organ, and Mr. Cimino Conducted.