APITI NOTES.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14205, 2 September 1919, Page 7

APITI NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) .“I’LL WRITE TO THE 'TIMES'.”. On Friday evening a bumper house taxed the seating accommodation at the Public Hall to witness the above comedy, which was staged by the local Amateur Theatrical Society. It was their third appearance, and the advance made since their last performance was most marked. Bursts of applause greeted each character. The theme dealt with the troubles of a “Times” correspondent. Mr Punctilio Block (Mr Xvo Cummerlicld), who, being an old and eccentric bachelor, is burdened with a captivating niece, Maria Bland (Miss Ida Cummerlicld), who in turn is harassed by the usual feminine complaint—love. The object of her affections is Sir Harry Harford (Mr L. F. Vail), a most persevering and ardent lover. He has a benedict friend, Hon. Henry Huntley (Mr N. S. McLeod), who, not knowing how to live happily though married to a pretty wife (Miss E. Osborne), trys to induce his friend to retain his freedom. He pays a visit to Maria and (pardon the expression) “puts his pot on,” by stating that Harford is already married. Mrs Huntly, hearing of the visit and jumping to the conclusion that Maria has appropriated her husband, becomes jealous and in turn visits her uncle. Things are further complicated by Huntley hearing of the visit, and he in turn also becomes jealous. It is very funny to ivitness how the little plot is fianlly settled. The first act, a street scene with the paper-boy (Master Jack Richards) selling the “Manawatu Times ’ ’ and ‘ ‘ Feilding Star,'' and the local gags by Harford and Huntley, about both papers, brought forth roars of laughter. The second scene, a draw-ing-room at Mr Block's home, is opened by Jane, Mr Block’s servant (Miss D. McCullan), who made an ideal Irish servant. Her opening remarks slating the local tradesman brought rounds of applause from the audience. Mr Ivo .Cumincrfield as Mr Block carried his part through in his usual free and easy stjdc and well earned the applause freely bestowed upon him. Miss Ida Cummcrfield as Maria Bland, was exceptionally good, especially in the scene with her uncle, who rebukes her for falling in love. Later, she in turn upbraids him for carrying on a flirtation with Mrs Huntly, and is seen to advantage in her crying parts, well assuming her feelings. Miss Evelyn Osborne, as Mrs Henry Huntley, made her first appearance before the public, and left no room for doubt as to her abilities. In her interview with Miss Bland, whom she accuses of flirting with her husband, she is seen to advantage, taking the part of an outraged wife with the case of an old-timer. Mr L. F. Vail as Sir Harry Harford is a veteran before the Apiti public, and came in for repeated applause, and Avas at his best in the love scene with Maria Bland. Mr N. S. McLeod as Hon. Henry Huntly met with rounds of applause in the scene Avith Mr Block, and later Avith Mrs Huntly, when ho was assured of her faithfulness to himself. He also showed his ability to manage a wife, in the closing scene. Miss D. McMullan, Avho Avas also making her first appearance, us Jane, helped to bring the piece to a conclusion AAith a good SAving, by securing Block for a nusband, and showed to advantage in tier studied insolence to the rest of the ladies. The piece was brought to a finale by Block warning the public that ho Avould Avrite to the ‘ ‘ Manawatu Daily Times,” about them. A feature of the above piece avus the pretty drawing-room scene, and the Society Avish to thank the following for the loan of furnishings: Messrs Cummcrfield, Osborne, Petersen, Palmer and Cantwell, and also Mr Mawhinney for the carpcntcry work. Mr H. Palmer, coach of the Society, deserves a AA-ord of praise for the Avay the characters took their respective parts, and his untiring efforts Averc evidently avcll rewarded. In conjunction Avith the above, ‘ 1 Diggers ’ ’ D. Brough, C. Buckman, O. Halls, J. Purnell, A. Payton, and G. Romlcy Avere welcomed back to Apiti. Mr John Gould, in the absence of Mr Wm. McKay, presented each lad with a cheque, the gift of the Patriotic Society. Each soldier suitably responded and the singing of “For they are jolly good fellows” and cheers for the returned boys, brought the function to a close. The hall Avas then cleared for dancing, Avhich was kept going till the avcc small hours, Mr Fowells supplying the music. Extras aa cic played by Miss D. McMullan and Mr Ivo Cummcrfield, Avhilst Messrs Watson and McLeod carried out the duties as M’s.C. GENERAL ITEMS. “Digger” C. Bain bridge was included in the list to receive a welcome on Friday evening, but being on a visit to Hastings at present, will bo included in the next lot. Mr and Mrs Chas. Gray, formerly of the local hotel, and Miss I. Tee, a former member of the local Theatrical Society, were visitors here during the Aveek-cml. The local school is closed doAvn at present owing to the prevalence of diphtheria in the district. No serious cases have been reported during the past week. Our school and outbuildings are receiving a new coat of paint. A couple of the Education Board’s painters are doing the work. Mr W. McKenzie, secretary of the Apiti Dairy Company, while motoring home from Feilding on Friday night last, met a gig suddenly on MeNae's Hill and in endeavouring to avoid a collision, the car went over the bank. The car avus badly damaged but luckily neither of the occupants were seriously hurt. Our local butter factory started to collect cream again last Aveek, but ow ring to part of the churn being aAvay for repairs, no butter avus turned out until Saturday. However, butter is now procurable locally. On Saturday afternoon last our local schoolboys met Kimbolton boys in n game of football in Mr Watson’s paddock. After a keenly-contested game, the local boys were victorious by five points to nil, N. Coldwell scoring & try, Avhich A. Viles converted. Mr M. Waterson controlled the game. Re football matters, I notice the Feilding papers reply to “Sport,” llmntoi, with regard to the FeildingApiti match, saying that they cannot possibly visit Apiti for six weeks, owing to representative matches, cup fixtures and tournaments. That seems a rather lame excuse, as only two of their team are rep. players, and on Apiti’s visit to Feilding on Peace-day they Avere without the services of one

of them, and it was also common talk that three juniors were in the team. May I suggest that they get two of their juniors to take the place of their rep. players, and visit Apiti and play the return game, which our local team is entitled to. As most of the local players are engaged in milking, every week it is getting harder for them to spare the time off for playing football. Our local billiard-roo m proprietor is running a tournament, and several heats were got off last week. Mr Curtis, a returned soldier, has purchased Mr C. F. Hart’s property in the Umutoi block. The first annual returned soldiers’ ball is to be held in the Public Hall on Friday night next, commencing at 8 o’clock sharp. The lads are going to a lot of trouble to make the thing a success and if the weather is fine a large attendance will repay them. An orchestra from Feilding will supply the music. Mr W. T. Pratt has recently gone in for a Ford truck, and intends to do most of his own carting in future. Mr Jas. Porter is now reinstated in his temporary premises and as stocks are arriving daily, things will shortly be back to the old condition. Both old and new customers will bo well catered for, and he is still agent for the daily and weekly papers. Mr Tom Fowclls has leased Mr T. Waugh’s Norsewood Road property and is removing from the Marton Block this week. He intends going in for dairying on a small scale. Mr S. Hart recently purchased from Mr W. McKay the property adjoining his own farm, and has placed his other property in the Union Block, comprising 200 acres, in the market. Church services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening by the Rev. W. Kearney, and the Methodist by Mr N. D. Gill, the Rev. J Richards being in Bangiwania.