JEAN GERARDY.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 47, 23 August 1902, Page 5

JEAN GERARDY.

The coming season of three concert* by Jean Gerardy, the violoncellist, promises to be a huge success. There was an animated scene at the box-office at the Dresden Piano Company's yesterday, when the plan was thrown open. Intending visitors to these concerts, which take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday next at the Opera "House, should make a point of securing their seats in advance in order' to avoid, disappointment. It is well to remember that in addition to the rare opportunity ot listening to this great master of the 'cello, there are other factors worthy ol notioe in. connection with the concerts Miss Elect* Gifford. the soprano, is saic to be a really brilliant vocalist. Het voice is magnificently trained (she studied under Marchesi), and is of wonderful range. One of her songs at the first concert will be the Indian Bell Song (Delibes), which serves to show off her extremely high range. Then in Gottfried Gals ton, the pianist, who was one of Leschelizky's .favourite pupils, we are told that he is a delightful performer, and will be greatly appreciated here. Mr. John H. Tait, the manager for Mr. A. H. Canby, who is directing the tour v informs us that the latter has just telegTaphed that the Auckland season has proved an enormous success, both financially and artistically. Gerardy gives one concert at New Plymouth on Monday evening, one at Wanganui on Tuesday, and one at Palmerston North on Wednesday. It is quite possible that a special matinee will be given at the Opera House on Saturday afternoon next, as several people have written Mr. Tait asking him to arrange a matinee. This will be definitely decided upon to-day or Monday.

At the Choral Hall last 'night, the seventh annual Government railway " social " was held and proved most enjoyable. The hall was attractively decorated < with bunting and greenery, and about 150 couples were present. Dance musio was glayed by Fleming's String Band, and supper was laid by Mr. G. Mawson. The M.C.'s were Messrs. P. Toohill and D. M'Phee, and Mr. T. A. O'Connor was secretary. The Post and Telegraph Rifle Volunteer Corps' Social and Literary t Club and Officers' Association's combined annual "at home" was held in St Peter's schoolroom lost night. About 80 couples attended, and the evening was most enjoyably passed in dancing, ping-pong, and other games. Mr. A. C. Norris was secretary to the committee. The guests at the pleasant social gathering held in the Druids' Hall last night as a welcome to those members of the Kelburnc Rifles who recently returned from South Africa included Lieuten-ant-Colonel Collins and Adjutant Harcourt. Captain Davis, of the Kelburne Rifles, presided, and Corporal Le Grove acted as secretary. The duties of masters of ceremonies were carried out by Lieutenant Jones, and Sergeants Simeon and Lines. Music for the dancing was sunviiirfd by Miss Hawthorne's String Band. Mr. G. Mawson was the caterer.

The first social gathering of members and friends of the Newtown Boys' Guild was held in the Congregational Schoolroom on Thursday evening, and proved altogether successful. The Guild, which is really the nucleus of • Technical School, wax formed a few months ego by the Rev. B. L. Thomas as a means of providing instruction and entertainment for lads during the winter months. The meetings are held every Friday evening, and the members, of whom there are now twenty-seven, are taught the use of tools, bench-work, and carving. When the Guild began its work, Mr. John Duthie presented £2 10s worth of tools, the Mayor of Wellington gave « donation of £1, and donations of smaller sums were given by other gentlemen, who saw great possibilities of usefulness in the new institution in a district in which very little provision w made for the improvement of the spare time of its lads. The Guild has been visited several times by Mr. E. C. Isaac, one of the Government Technical Inspectors, who has heartily commended: the work which is being done. The Guild, the secretary of which is Mr. W. P. ' Chambers, intendß continuing its session until the end of November, and will probably resume work again towards the end of February. Another entertainment for our seafarers to interest, elevate, and amuse, was held last night at the Missions to Seamen, when Mr Moore spoke on "First-aid." The men gave some practical exhibitions, and Mrs. Campbell arranged a pleasant programme of music, to which the following contributed: Mrs. Campbell, the Misses Hursthouse (2), Edie Robertson, Eileen Bhmdell, Baker, and Mr. N. Hales.

There was a large attendance at a social gathering held at Petone last night in connection with the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The Rev. A. Thomson presided. The contributors to the programme included Mrs. Morrah, Misses Riley, Battersby, Dunne, Adamson, Pickering, Sebley, Mr Cross, and Master Mor rah.

The Primitive Methodists of Webbstreet advertise that the Rev. Newman Hall will give his popular costume lecture on Palestine Life, illustrative of the figurative language of Scripture, on Tuesday evening next. The lecfcttrer, who hats visited Palestine) will wear the dress of a Bedouin Arab, and be assisted- **"■ ■

tll lad « s and gentlemen^in Oriental atw» : Pictures and curios will be shown «unng the lecture. Van Burg's Australian Dramatic Com Pany, after a very successful season of four months in Ohristchuroa, wi& open on Saturday, 30th August, at the Federal Hall, which is undergoing extensive alterations. The scenery is entirely new, and has been specially puinted for the various dramas which will be presented to the public. The company comprises Mr. George Coppin, j un> , son of that *•*•»>» wmedian, George Selth Coppin, AIMS Millie Collier, daughter of the late G«orge Collier, Messrs. J. F. Rowe, J. Lindon, A. Seagrave, Miss Roberts, and others equally well known. Ihe fourth annual bull of the Zealnndia Rifles is to bo held at tho DruTds' Hall, laranaki-street, next Friday ev«ning. I hero is every promiso ol an enjoyable fathormg.