ENTERTAINMENTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume IV, Issue 239, 23 September 1914, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

“ MISS HOOK OF HOLLAND.” NAPIER AMATEURS SCORE ANOTHER SUCCESS. The Napier Operatic Society scored an indisputable success last evening with their initial performance of “ Miss

Houk of Holland.” The choice of Air. Paul Ruben’s delightful musical comedy was undoubtedly a happy one, for the piece abounds in bright, tuneful solos and catchy choruses, linked together with clever dialogue, etc. The production throughout was characterised by a briskness and go which was no small factor in the success achieved, and the interest of the audience was well held from rise, to fall of the curtain. encores being fieely called for. The principals were happily east, and acquitted themselves witli distinction in their several roles. An outstanding feature was the excellence of the chorus work, the volume and quality of tone: in the big numbers being splendid. The orchestra, which comprised a. number of our best local performers, did its share in excellent .stylo. Great credit is due to Alcssrs, W. Mitchell and Roy Spackinan, to whom fell the arduous work of schooling the company into shape. A charming dance, introduced l>y a sextette of dainty girls, was also arranged by Air. Mitchell, who was also responsible for the designing of the quaint drosses and general supervision <>;' the whole production. A special word e.f praise is due to Air. AY. E. Gunn, who painted the picturesque Dutch scenery —the setting of the first act-, the market of Anidyke on the Zuyder Zee. being an especially realistic piece of work. Miss Effiie Rae as “Sally Hook” had a part that suited her excellently. She was charmingly natural, and her fine voice had plenty of scope. Her solos, “Fly Away. Kite.” “Little Aliss Wooden Shoes.’ ’and “Cream of the Sky,” were sung in a most finished manner. Miss Rae s duets with Air. P. J. Dodds (“ Bandmaster Van \ uyt ”), “ Sleepy Canal” and “Love is a Carnival,” were most effective. Air. Dodds’ fine voice was also heard to advantage in his solos. “Tra-la-la ” and “ The A’iolonccllo.” Air. Alelltuish did. extremely well in his role of “Air. Hook,” a dear old man with a playful turn of humour and a weakness for the bottle. The main comedy element was supplied by Air. Rex Yates, whose “Simon .Slink” was indeed a work of art. His weird get-up and grotesque attitudes made the house roar with laughter. His songs, “Lazy -Loafers” and “Dork, with a chorus of loafers fairly brought down the house. His cone ,r .mg dance was a marvel oi coa-

tortion. Mr. G. Remington was very satisfactory as “Schnapps,” and Mr. cut a tine figure as “Captain Adrian I’aap.” his song “Soldiers of the Netherlands” being especially well received. Messrs. K. P. TV right and Ivor Lynch, as two cheese merchants, and'Mr. J. Me Allan as an old policeman, were well in the picture. Mr. H. R. Chisholm gave a clever study in still life as “Van Eek.” and Mr. W. E. Gunn was remarkably good as an old market woman with an extraordinary voice. Miss M. Edwards was very taking as “Mina.” and deservedly, received a double encore for her daintv singintr of “A Liftl® Pink Pe+tv.” Miss E. Grubb and Miss I. Mullanv were charming as “Clara and Freda Voos.” and Miss M. R-ndv acquitted herself with credit as “Gretchen.” The society is to be heartily congratulated on nutting on such an excellent show, and should be assured of bumper houses for the remainder of the season (which closes on Friday night), espeeiallv in view of th® fact that the whole of the net nroceeds will he given to the distress fund. The late train to-night will enable Hastings patrons to witness the performance conveniently. and a special ’bus from Taradale at 7 o’clock, returning after the performance, will enable Taradale residrnts to be preselll. _____

Once more (says a London correspondent) the “Pall Mall Gazette” and “Sunday Observer,” powerful Unionist journals, have changed hands. This time Mr. George Sinclair, well known in London political and business circles as having been formerly connected with AUsopps, arid now-the controlling spirit of the London publishing house of Dobsons and Molle, is the ostensible purchaser, it is announced that the political platforv’s of both papers will remain unchanged, and that* Mr. I. L. Garvin will continue in c liter’\l charge.

j It is not often that we see a motor : ist deliberately hammering nails into ‘ the tyres of his car, yet this is what : a “Tribune” reporter witnessed at Napier last night, and to his astonishment no air came cut of the tubes nor did the tyres appear to be affect ed in the least by having holes bored in them. The motorist, Mt. L. F. Wallis, who at first appeared to be playing the fool with his tyres, was n representative of Puncture Seal, Limited, and he was demonstrating the absolute immunity from punctures which follows their treatment by “Puncture Seal.” Hundreds of patents which alleged to do away with the greatest drawback to motoring — punctures — have been brought out. hut until “Puncture Seal” made its appearance none of them were recognised. To-day the leading motorists have adopted it, and a glance through the pamphlets issued by the company (besides letters from Hawke’s Bay motorists who have already tested the efficiency of Puncture Seal), proves oeyond a doubt that its universal ' adoption is not far distant. Unlike I its predecessors. Puncture Seal is !not a “filling” ; it forms a lining, and i a hole is no sooner made in the tyre than it automatically closes up, not even the slightest amount of air being lost. It is suitable for motor cars and cycles of every description, and as it is said considerably to increase the life of the tyres themselves, it will no doubt be quickly adopted by all motorists in this dis ' trict. The reporter who investigated 'last night’s ’ experiments satisfied i himself that Puncture Seal did all . that is claimed for it, and possesses 'nothing but advantages. Puncture Seal. Limited, are now erecting • a plant at Messrs. Davis and Boyd’s garage, Hastings, and will be prepar|ed to execute orders in a day or two.