ENTERTAINMENTS.

Evening Post, Volume 27, Issue 77, 27 September 1907, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS.

"MOTHER GOOSE." A fitting conclusion to Dominion Day was given at the Opera House last night. The management, recognising the importance of the event, had arranged an effective allegorical tableau, representing Britannia handing to ZeaUtndia her new title. It was ■well conceived, und reflected credit on the stage manager and composers. A child represented a herald, and after a preliminary . fanfare called "Attention !" Then announcing that the Spirit of an Empire- gient was . approaching upon a high" 'affair of State, and audience sought, she 1 "commanded all to .give her good heed^ '"God Save the King." The Spirit of Empire, another tiny maid, appeared and called upon Zealandia, a Maori maid, attired in Maori mat, congratulated her upon her new status, and commanded her to appear before Britannia. The scene then rose .upon the tableau, showing Zealandia accepting from Britannia her title. Heralds flanked the main subject, and two "Royal New Zealand Artillerymen stood at attention. The effect was pretty, and the huge audience was moved to cheers, the curtain having to be raised several times. Miss Olive Godwin sang a spirited song, "Dominion of Beauty," especially written and composed for the occasion by 'Mr. Albert Goldie and Geo. H. HalL A double encore was insisted ypon, and there were repeated calls for Sir Joseph Ward. The Premier, from his' seat in tho clme, thanked the members of the company for their effective tableau, and also congratulated tie composers of the song. The words were very line, and the author was to he complimented, and the young lady (Miss Godwin) even more so for her fine singing. It was a memorable day, and the performance that evening was a fitting conclusion. Sir Joseph resumed his seat amid loud cheering. The characters in the tableau tvei'e the Spirit of Empire by little "May Baird. the Herald by little Marjory Russell, Zealandia by little Olive Stoweil, and Britannia by Miss Lena Ericson. The pantomime itself went with a fine swing and to the accompaniment of hilarious laughter^ The pretty ballets and effective swing song and extremely funny toy dance were all redemanded, and the several excellent vocal numbers •were encored. To-night "Mother Goose" ■^ill be repeated, when His Exce'.lency the .Governor and suite wjjl be present, and a matinee will be given on Saturday afternoon. MADAME ALBANI. "A feast of folk song" is promised at Madame Albani's concert in the Town Hall to-night. This will be Madame's jast appearance in New Zealand, and she wtill be supported by her complete comoany and by Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. organist, in a popular ballad concert "at ballad prices." FULLER'S ENTERTAINERS. The. programme arranged by the management of" the Theatre Royal proved ■very attractive last evening. A large audience greeted with enthusiasm the bright turns of the entertainment. The "star" of the evening was Post Mason, the American vocalist, who eang ballads, such as "Harbour. 6l Home Sweet Horne 1 ' and "Aren't you coming back to Old Jf ew Hampshire, Molly ?" and was warmly encored. Jarvis and Martyn gave an interesting exhibition of juggling, with comic interludes. Salmon and Chester, with their songs, Maie Marlowe, Maud Florence, J. W. Kilner, and the SterlingBunbar combination all contributed to the evening's entertainment. CAENT7AL AT PETONE. ... The carnival ,to be held, at Petone to-morrow 'afternoon should prove a great attraction. It- is being arranged by a Citizens' Committee in celebration of the winning of five championships 'by the teams of the Petone Football Club. There will be a procession from the" Railway Station to the Recreation Ground' at 2 o'clock, headed by t\vu Ijjrass 1 jjrass bands. Prizes are offered for the Tjest fancy dress costume. On arrival at the Recreation Ground interesting events will follow each other in rapid succession. The Ngatiawa and Pe.tone Ladies' Hockey Clubs' combined team will meet eleven footballers (in skirts) in a hockey match, Petone seniors and' juniors will hold a seven-a-side football contest, and the fourth and fifth will take part in a similar competition. ' After an amusing Darktown Fire Brigade display, the annual match between representatives of the Junior "Club and the Working Men's Club wi!l take place, "arid as" both teams contain -first-class -players, a keen fight should result. Trains leave Wellington at 1.10, 1.20, and 2.20, and leave Petone for the^ city at 4.32, 5.25, and 6.14. I Next Wednesday evening at the Petone Drill Hall o> complimentary smoke concert will be hold, when 95 gold and sil--ver medals are to be presented to "'members of the five champion teams. At the weekly meeting of the Hope of P€U»ne > _Lo.G.i\, in tho Ranfurly Hall on Wedr.e.sday -evening, Bro. T. Townsend, C.T., presided. The items down for,4he 'evening; vreio "brothers' &3win?" and "sisters' wocd-sawing and iwil-driv-in'_','' in charge of Bro. D. Robertson. Tsislofs~ Smith ami D-snby won both the .Rawing and ninl-dTiving competition, and Bros. W. M'Ewan and Parker the sewin?. Messrs.,- K. C. Travers and H. H. Sims were initiated into the Order. Bro. and Sis. Denby were elected to assist -Bro. Townsend in superintending the Juvenile Temple. One of five fine collections of pictures which Mr. Sidney Cook is exhibiting in various parts of Australasia was shown in St. Peter's Hall last night. Mr. Sannders, manager for Mr. Cook, is interested in rnisbion work, and an offer by him to give two exhibitions of tho pictures in aid of the funds of tho Central Mission was gladly accepted. Last Bight's entertainment was a gTeat sueceye. The views, which included some beautiful Australian scenery, ako incidents in connection with tho WebbTowns sculling race, were clearly 6hown, aad were well received. Several selections were played during the evening by the Mission Band. Another collection of Cook's picturees will be shown in about- siz 'weeks' tinw, in aid of the .mission funds. Petone had a brief sensation this morning in the shape of a bolt along the main street. A horse drawing a gig ' containing Mr. P. C. M'Ewen and two grandchildren dashed along Jacksonst;e«t at a great pace and swerved into ' By«2«y. street, where contact with the itrl*-*^ caused the vehicle and horse to I* -Mwrturned. The occupants were thrown out, but luckily escaped with nottdng raoro than a severe snaking. No rery serious Injury was done to the horse or the gig. Mr. Nicholas Marchant, formerly City Engineer in Wellington, died in this city last night, aged 71 years. The deceased, •who was a nativo of England, was trained as a civil engineer in the Old Country, and obtained considerable eminence in his profession. He came to New Zealand under engagement to the Brogdens, the .great English contractors, and associated Si tho carrying out of their important ■works in tho district. On E«venng his connection with tl>3 firm he ws« appointed City Engineer in Wellington, and • cabsequently entered into private practice. He' had been ailing far some time past. The deceased gentleman has left f. widow and a grown-up family.