CARLYLE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 31, 28 July 1880, Page 3

CARLYLE.

n (fbom otjb own corbespondent.) Caria-le, Tuesday. The Wanganui Volunteers, evidently anxious to wipe out their recent defeat, have challenged the Patea Eifles to engage with them in a friendly match, to be fired at Wanganui and Patea on Saturday the first. The challenge has been accepted, and the conditions are : — 12 men a side j distance, 200, 400, and 500 yards ; five shots at each; position, 200 yards, standing; others, any position ; target, 2xl bull'e eye at 200 yards; large target at 400 and 500. The team chosen for Patea will consist of King, Hitching, Kells, Thomson, Pringle, Smith, J. Black, Harden, Chadwick, W. Dasent, C. Daeent, S. Fraser.

The bazaar in aid of the Patea Roman Catholic Church building fund was supplemented on Saturday evening with a musical and dramatic entertainment in the Town Hall. The performers in the first part were mostly from the Harmonic Society, and there were also three lady singers from the neighborhood. The second part of the programme comprised the trial scene from "Pickwick," performed by members of the Patea Garrick Club, which made its debut on this occasion. The entertainment drew a large audience, the hall being filled to overflowing, and the result must have been financially satisfactory to the committee. The proceedings were commenced by an overture on the piano, followed by the chorus, "Hark, the lark." "Man the life-boat," vigorously rendered by a promising young local basso, gave place to the song, "Dublin Bay," by a lady, who succeeded in rousing the national sympathies of a large part of her audience. A well-executed violin solo preceded the bass song, " The Sexton," giyen by a gentleman, who has been to England since he last appeared amongst us, and who met with a warm reception. The lady who next essayed made the most of a difficult piece, " The blind girl to her harp," and was encored. The quartette, " See our oars with feathered spray," was pleasingly rendered, tbe parts being 1 well balanced and the time accurate. "William Rufus," an old English song, was correctly sung, the chorus adding greatly to the effect. "Scenes that are brightest," the popular aria from " Maritana," was given by a lady who possesses a powerful voice of fine quality, the piano passages being expressively rendered. A highly-pleased audience demanded a repetition. An instrumental duett, piano and flute, was well received, followed by the song, " The tar's farewell," by an old favorite, who apparently was suffering from hoarseness, but acquitted himself with his usual success, and was awarded a vociferous encore. The popular tenor song, " The scout," was rendered by a gentleman, the possessor of a sweet tenor voice, who dicr ample justice to this fine song, and received a well merited encore. The chorus, "In the lonely vale of streams," brought part I. to a satisfactory conclusion.

After a brief interval, the curtain rose on the trial scene from " Pickwick," and the judge taking his seat was the signal for a round of applause. Each actor looked his part, from the judge to the court crier inclusive. Dickens' great satire is so well known that it is unnecessary to follow the play through. I shall confine my report to individual criticism; which I trust the amateurs will take in good part. The judge had a very intelligent conception of the piece, and was successful in his pourtrayal of the stupidity intended to be ridiculed by the author. His acting very materially assisted to make the play the unqualified success that it undoubtedly was. But the acting of the gentleman who personated the immortal " Buzf uz " was really of the highest order of merit, from his distinct enunciation and appropriate gesticulation to his expressive by-play. The learned Serjeant was the main feature in the piece throughout. With a crowded and intelligent audience in front of him, he never for a moment forgot the part he had to play, and his management of facial expression was all that could be desired. His opposing counsel's (Sergeant Snubbins') performance was weak in comparison. Perhaps when this gentleman next essays a part he will have learnt his score, and will make an attempt to throw some life into it. He rather reminded me of a schoolboy saying his lesson imperfectly and with a bad grace. The junior counsel, Messrs. Phunlry and Skimpin, performed the parts assigned them with credit. The latter's memory was rather defective while cross- i examining Mr. Winkle. The court crier acted his part naturally and well. Mrs Cluppins and Mrs Saunders (personated by the same gentleman) created great amusement by their evidence in the witness box. He did not fall into the common habit of over-caricaturing those ladies; but kept the audience amused while sticking faithfully to his text. Sam Weller's part was assigned to a gentleman who is of wellknown Sam Weller tastes and proclivities, and the selection was a happy one. This i part, of course, brought down a round of ] applause. Mr. Winkle wss exceedingly well played by a gentleman who had evidently bestowed on his part careful attention and study, and who contributed considerably to the success of the entertainment. The minor characters were creditably taken, particularly that of the foreman of the jury. The curtain fell at the conclusion before a delighted audience. On the whole, the performance, which is the debut of the Patea Garrick Club, is hicfhly creditable, and I hope soon agaiu to have an opportunity of criticising their efforts. \ At the conclusion, Eev. Father Grogan, in a short speech, thanked all who had assisted the efforts of the committee. In church last Sunday the Rev. Father also exhorted his children to lend assistance to other denominations, as the latter had done to them.

For remainder of Reading Matter, see Fourth Page.