THE FULLER ENTERTAINERS.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 22 October 1904, Page 5

THE FULLER ENTERTAINERS.

The Melba records still draw well at His Majesty's, and good as the week's programme has been, the customar • change will be made by the performing company to-night. Quite, a number of new faces will appear. THE DIX COMPANY. Another bright and merry entertainment was given at the Theatre Royal last evening by the 'full strength of Mr. Dixs company. The programme will be changed fa-night. FITZGERALD'S CIRCUS. As the eye of the world is just now upon the strenuous little Jap, the advent of a team of Japanese wrestlers with Messrs. Fitzgerald Bros.' Circus, which opens a season in Wellington next Thursday, will be looked forward to with - some interest. The team is described as being composed of fairly tall, broadchested, well-developed men, who engage in desperate bouts with each other, and do not appear to mind hard treatment in the shape of heavy falls. Besides the Japs, the Messrs. Fitzgerald will introduce the Ashton Family of acrobats, EeriaHsta, and riders, whose performances

are highly spoken of by the Australian press ; a new team of high-jumping and performing horses; and a host of other good items amongst a programme of some twenty-two "turns." Dr. Gordon, the strong man, is also with the company, which is supported by a good menagerie. The season will include matinees on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons. At the Missions to Seamen last evening Mr. Moore gave an address on anigulance work in the navy. Other speakers were Messrs. C. W. Palmer and Burgess. A programme of musical items was given, the following contributing: —Misses Cohen, and Holliday, Messrs. Macarthy, Citron, Berlin, Boock, and Bioustein. The lecture by the Rev. Dr. Gibbon Scottish character, which had been postponed on account of the weather, was given last night in the lecture-room of the Newtown Public Library to a crowded audience, Mr. R. C. Harding in the chair. The illustrations were chiefly taken from the "Drumtochty" characters depicted by "lan Maclaren." Whatever place in literature might in future be allotted to the author, Dr. Gibb thought he could fairly be placed in the front rank of the writers of short stories ; and there was a fidelity in his representations that proved intimate knowledge of his subject. He depended on no adventitious circumstances of rank or wealth for the interest of his subject, but found sufficient scope for his genius in the annals of the poor and lowly. The lecture was illustrated by readings from the Rev. John Watson's stories, given with dramatic effect. Mr. H. G. M'Leod moved, and the Rev. J. Crewes seconded, a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was heartily given. The art exhibition, which has been open forafortnigfit, will close at 10 o'clock tonight. Purchasers of pictures are required to remove them before 5 o'clock on Monday. The Petone Football Club held its annual social gathering last night, and ,the event proved a great success. Very complete arrangements had been made by the Committee. The annual social gathering of the Wellington Builders and Contractors' Association was held in the Druids' Hall last night, and proved an unqualified success. The hall was artistically decorated for the occasion. Songs were sung by Misses Emeny and H. Bennett, and Messrs. G. Smith and; T. Cooper. Mr. W. A. Thomson gave a recitation, and a piano solo was played by Miss M'Lean, and a banjo solo by Mr. H. Bateman. The supper was provided by Mr. Godber, and Mr. E. J. King's string band supplied the music. The arrangements we're carried out by Messrs. G. Luke (President), A. H. Fullford, W. H. Bennett, W. G. Emeny, T. Cooper, T. Foley, and L. S. Humphreys. Mr. W. G. Emeny was Secretary, and he and. Mr. A. H. Fullford acted as Masters of Ceremonies. j The fourth annual reunion and dinner of the members of the First New Zealand Mounted Rifles Association, was held in Godber's Rooms last night, yesterday being the fifth anniversary of the departure from Wellington of the First Contingent sent to South Africa. Major Chaytor presided, and was supported by Captain J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., and Lieutenant Lindsay (now of the 7th Dragoon Guards). A business meeting preceded the dinner. Colonel Robin, C.8., 'was re-elected President, _ and Colonel Davis, C.8., Majors Madocks (Royal Artillery), Major Bartlett, D.5.0., and Lieutenant Lindsay were elected Vice-Presidents. Mr. Claude L. Jewell was re-elected Secretary and Treasurer and editor of the Bulletin, and was voted a bonus of £10 with hearty acclamation. After an enjoyable and wellserved dinner was done full justice to, the usual list of toasts was gone through. "The Navy and Army" was proposed by the Chairman, and responded to by Lieutenant Lindsay, who said that at Home "Tommy Atkins" still remembered the New Zealanders at the front, and, added the Dragoon, "he does not call us Australians.'' The toast of "Comrades who have gone before" was drunk in silence. Trooper Jewell read out the list, which showed that 22 of tho original company of 212 have passed away. "Absent Comrades" were toast ed by Captain Hughes, "The Ladies" by Trooper Wilson, and "The Press" by the Chairman, the replies to the latter toast being made by Mr. C. L. Jewell (Free Lance) and T. L. Mills (Post). During the evening entertaining items were contributed by Captain Hughes and Messrs. J. Cumming3, D. Johnson, W. Brown, C. L. Jewell, G. Powell, Butler, T. L. Mills, C. Zachariah, and Nelson Dyson. Mr. Maughan Barnett will give his fifty-third organ recital in St. John's Church on Tuesday evening next, when he will play compositions by Bach, Guilmant, Saint-Ssens, Sullivan, and (by request) Wely's Storm Fantasie. The sale of work in connection with the Anglican community at Brooklyn was brought to a close last night. The second entertainment given by the Pierrots was a great success. Encores were demanded from Messrs. Fred. W. Laycock, Smith, and Fortune. The trios, "Tickling Trio" (Messrs. Laycock, Wragg, and Fortune) and "Dame Durden" (Messrs. Laycook, Wrqgg, and Smith) were also encored. Among the other items worthy of special mention were eongs by Miss Edie Furness and Mr. H. Furness, a duet by Mr. and Mrs. Fortune, and trios by Misses E. Furness, E. Smith, and A. Furness, and Mrs. Fortune and Messrs. Laycock and Fortune. A word of praise is due to Mrs. Fortune for her work in connection with the Pierrots. The Rev. Fergus Ferguson lectured at New Century Hall last night on the subject of "Healing." There was a largo audience, and at the conclusion of the lecture a gentleman from the body of the hall came forward for treatment, and after three minutes'' manipulation he affirmed that his rheumatic pains had departed. Mr. Ferguson will deliver another lecture on Wednesday, 26th inst. A plain and fancy dress ball is to be held in the Taita Hall next Tuesday eyening. A grand entertainment is advertised for Thursday, 27th inst., by St. Peter's Club, in which professionals and amateurs will take part. Jupp's Brass Band will close its dancing season next Tuesday evening with a gathering at the Druids' Hall. The opening of the Nurses' Home, adjoining the Wellington Hospital, will be celebrated by a conversazione next Wednesday evening. Particulars as to securing tickets, etc., will be found elsewhere. The Empire Athletic Club's Quadrille Assembly will hold an "extended night" at the Druids' Hall next Thursday evening.