ENTERTAINMENTS.

Mataura Ensign, 20 July 1914, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ERNEST DRAKE CONCERT. , The fine reputation of the Ernest Drake Concert Party should materially assist in ensuring a full house at the much-talked-of concert in the Princess Theatre to-morrow evening. The exceptionally attractive programme which has been prepared by Mr E. Heywood, F.R.C.0.. the talented organist of St. I'aul's Cathedral, Dnnctliii, will doubtless go a long way towards enhancing the company's great popularity. The Ernest Drake Concert Party met with phenomenal support 011 its recent appearance in Dnnedin, and, judging from the bookings at Boyne Bros'., there is every indication that the party will be greeted with a bumper house here. Mr Drake is down for three numbers, as follows:—Blumental's exquisite "livening Song," Gounod's aria "Lend Mo Your Aid," and two bracketted items "I Will Await Thee" (by Coningsby Carke) and Huhn's "Inviitus." These will be an excellent test as to the gifted young artist's ability. LVfiss Mabelle Ksqnilant's numbers include Allison's "There's a Land" and Schira's "3ognai," in addition-to Newton's duct "In the Springtime" with Mr Drake. >!;ss I rene;^Heywood, the charming little girl artist, will give several"of her delightful musical sketches. "THE ROSARY." "The Rosary," to be staged at the Theatre Royal, Gore, oil Friday next. July 24, by George Willoughby. Ltd., and E. J. Carroll (in conjunction) is a drama pure and -simple of the sort we used to get some years ago before so much "kill him again" business was introduced into plays. 111 "The Rosary" the play's teachings throughout arc of the highest value in- essential. Many homes have been made happy through the teaching of "The Rosary." The very root of love between man and wife is shown in this play, and patrons will enjoy as many laughs- in the play as they will profit by its morals. At the same time it is not >a religious play, as many would think 011 acconnt of the principal character being Father Kelly. This genial, lovable gentlemen is goodness personified both in his actions and appearances and never loses an opportunity of doing good to his fellow-men. Having played the character for so long it has got so imbued into Mr Reynolds' system that his bearing when off the stage is on a par with his appearance on it, and seeing him in the .street you would say immediately, "There's Father Kelly!" The box plan will be -opened to-morrow (Tuesday) morning) at Steans'. No extra charge will be made for booking. GORE LITERARY SOCIETY.

The weekly meeting of the Gore Literary and Debating Society was held on. Thursday evening in-Giobs' room:;. There \ms only a moderate attendance of members, and in the absence of the president ('Rev. G. Hervev) Mr H. .Beattie (vice-president) occupied the chair. Mr Straclian intimated that the subject of his address next week would be ■'Electricity." Mr Straclian, who is a "wireless" enthusiast and has an intimate knowledge of the subject, can be assured of a good heaving. Xon-niem-:bers who would like to attend this lecture can be admitted as visitors by application 40 any of the- members. It was decided to alter the date of the banquet from September 10 to a date to be chosen at- the end of July or early.in August so us to permit or Rev. G. Heryey participating therein prior to his departure on a well-earned' two months' holiday tour. A committee, consisting of Meesre Herris Beattie, R. Hay, J. G. Duncan, and T. Bhodcs, was set up to make the necessary arrangements in connection with the banquet. The special subject for the evening was the introdiiction of a Bill by Mr J. Havper_ (uieriibev for Hutt) to' provide for Bible-r.eading in State schools. The Bill contained -nine clauses, a»d dealt with the matter very thoroughly. The principal points on which it differs from the 'Bible-in-Schools League proposals: lie in the fact that it provides ■for the Bible lessons -being conducted by the regular ministers of the Gospel and does not place the tlfe State school-teachers. The Bill also provides for the use of a text-book only with explanations of the passages contained therein, Tlie' object of the Bill is as far as practicable to keep the different denominations off debatable ground, while endeavoring to inculcate good moral lessons into the mimics of the children. Mr Harper, in introducing tileBill, said that- under the present educational system the children- became well versed in physical and mental culture but in regard to the greatest thing of all—-moral culture—practically 110 attention was given. Education without a moral standard, the speaker asserted, created a- "clever devil." An eminent judge of. a juvenile court in America had stated that in all his experience not one child had. come before him 011 a criminal charge who was a regular attendant at Sunday-school. Unfortunately (said the speaker) attendance at Sunday-school is not compulsory, otherwise there might not be the great need for the Bible being placed in the schools. ]f the people knew that the actual teachings of the Bible itself were to be added to the school earricu-' luui and that denomiuationaiism would not be allowed to cuter, 110 felt that the great abhorrence with which many people -viewed the matter would be removed. The teachers iu many instances were not suitable to conduct the lesson as they belonged to one or other of the denominations. There were three seet'ons of teachers: (1) Those who were Christians but- would not care to undertake the task; (2) those who were capable and willing to do so; and (3) those who were not Christians in the general acceptance of the term. To asktinen of varying beliefs, though fully competent teachers in other respects, to undertake he work was not right. The minister of the various denominations should undertake this duty and the teaching should only be given from textbooks compiled by the representatives of the various sects in conjunction -with some of the Staie officials. The Bill also provided for the recital by the assembled pupils of the 10 Commandments and the -beatitudes. Provision was also made for the exemption of those whose parents liad a conscientious objection to the teaching of any or all of the ministers. In concluding the speakej- said that the churches were blamed for not reaching the masses, but their host weapon to enable them to do so was withheld from them while they were deprived of- the right to reach the child-ren-through the State schools. ! I Mir Bowmar (Premier) asked if it was intended that the State should be asked to supplv any finance in any way towards this project, as, if so, outside sects would he then entitled to State aid for their denominational schools. Mr Harper: No, except in the small matter of supplying the. necessary textbooks. " j Mr Bowmar. in speaking to the Bill, maintained that if the State should take any portion- of public money to support the Bible-reading in schools it would naturally follow that acy denomination controlling sectarian schools would be

entitled to ask for subsidies from tlio! State, but that while tlio public schools remained open to all and free from sectarianism those who willingly sent their children to any private institution ha'" no claim whatever on the State and could not be_ considered in any sense as , martyrs. X<> creed was really worth anything except 111 so far as it manufactured character, and he felt that the public schools were not the right place to have Bible-teaching. If, Jiowevcr, Bible-reading in schools was necessary' then the proposal brought down by the member for Hutt was far more acceptable to the community than those laid down by the Bible-in-Schools League. Mr Bow mast (Bay of Plenty) said that he had been under comnulsory .Bible teaching in Germany for eight years, and he felt that the attempt to teach' religion in the State schools was not a- success. The Bible was compiled from old writings and ancient laws. He would .suggest that a textbook compiled from our modern laws would teaeli the moral lessons eoually as well and perhaps more effectively. Such a textbook could deal with commercial integrity, and criminal moral laws. The chairman requested iMr Strachnn (a visitor) to give tho members the benefit of his opinion, which be did in a very able and lucid address. He 'congratulated the member for Hutt on his ■noble effort to eliminate some of the glaring faults of the platform of the Bible-in-Sehools League. The adjournment of the debate to July 30 was then moved by Mr Driscoll Dunedin North).