AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

The newly-instituted Savage Club may well be congratulated for the success of their first " open night," which was held on Sept. 20 in the Choral Hall. There was a large and fashionable attendance, the number of ladies present being exceptionally large for an entertainment of this sort, and large numbers of them attended in evening dress. It was evident that they looked forward to the proceedings with great interest, and probably felt some disappointment because the Savages were tame, and that there really was no mystery to be revealed nor reason shown why ladies should not be admitted to membership. Sir Frederick AVhitaker, K.C.M.G., the president of the club, was in the chair, and was supported by the two vice-presidents, Mr. 0. P. Pierce and the Rev. D. Bruce. At Professor Carrollo's gymnasium on the 10th of September, the competition for gymnastic proficiency was decided, and resulted in a splendid contest between W. Russell and A. Hooper in feats of strength and grace, on the parallel and horizontal bars, Roman rings, trapeze, vaulting horse, &c. It was eventually decided in favour of W. Russell, with a score of SIM points, A. Hooper pressing him hard with 47A. In the middle weight boxing, J. R. Dickson failed to put in an appearance, and the medal accordingly went to G. Paltridge. The masquerade at the Columbia Rink passed off on Sept. 17 very successfully. There were, including spectators, from 400 to 500 present. During the earlier part of the evening, the rink was devoted to skating, the masqueraders wearing masks, and appearing in all sorts of fanciful costumes. At nine o'clock the grand march took place, the procession being headed by the Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Morris, who kept remarkably good time while playing on skates. The evolutions were cleverly performed, under the supervision of Mr. V. A. Harris, the general manager for the Colony, and Mr. Salmon, the local manager, the lime-light, parti-coloured, having a very pretty effect upon the costumes of the gay performers. Mr. Salmon distributed a number of prizes for fanciful costumes, &c. A concert in aid of the funds of St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills, took place on September 11 in the Foresters' Hall, Newton. There was a good attendance. The Rev. R. Sommerville presided, and introduced the entertainment in a few appropriate remarks. The programme was of a varied character, consisting of vocal and instrumental music, readings, &c. It was gone through in a highly creditable manner, the performers being enthusiastically applauded. An entertainment was given in St. Mary's Hall, Onehunga, on the 19th September, the proceeds of which arc to be devoted to the erection of an organ loft in the new Church of the Assumption, now being erected. There was a large audience, and an excellent programme was gone through in a very creditable manner. , On September 25 the Auckland Choral Society gave their fourth performance of the season, when they produced Schubert's "Mass in E Flat" and Barnby's "Rebekah." The concert was under the direction of Herr Carl Schmitt. Though the building was well filled, the attendance of the public was not so large as is usually the case. The number of performing members present was meagre, especially of gentlemen, there being only nine tenors and sixteen bassos on the platform. One of those very agreeable concerts, provided by the choir of St. Andrew's Church, was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Symonds-street, on Sept. 20, and, under the conductorship of Mr. Culpan, a very choice programme was rendered. Every item was received with marks of satisfaction. The Ponsonby " At Home " took place on September 21, and was well patronised, among those present being several of the officers from H.M.s. Diamond. The refreshment department was ably managed, while the dance music was all that could be desired. A very pleasant and agreeable evening was spent. The racing carnival of the Auckland district was fairly opened on the 29th September with the Spring Meeting of the Onehunga Racing Club, and had the weather been bespoken it could not have been better. It was a bright summer day with a warm sun and a clear sky, hardly a breath of air stirring. The various events were well contested. On September 14 a complimentary dinner was given to Bandmaster Lonergan by the band members of the Waiuku Troop and friends, on the eve of his departure from Waiuku. On the Ist October a pleasant musical and dramatic entertainment in connection with St. Barnabas' Church was given in St. Sepulchre's Schoolroom. There was a good attendance, especially of ladies. On October 4, at Abbott's Opera House, Professor Carrollo, assisted by his pupils, gave his annual athletic entertainment to a crowded audience, who frequently testified their approval of the various displays of gymnastic proficiency given them by loud and prolonged applause, while Professor i Carrollo was honoured with floral tributes i at the close of several specially excellent i efforts. I

i The annual concert in connection with the I Young Men's Christian Association was i held on Wednesday, October 3, in the | lecture hall of the Association, and there | was a crowded attendance of people, j who evidently came with the desire to ! listen to and enjoy good music. Mr. T. Peacock, M.H.R., presided. An excellent programme was gone through. ; The annual entertainment of the West End Rowing Club took place on Sept. 13 at the Ponsonby Hall. There was a good attendance. The programme consisted of songs, quartettes, instrumental solos, recitations, etc., and a comedy, by way of afterpiece. Miss Buckley officiated as accomI panist. An entertainment was given on Sept. 12 in the Foresters' Hall, Newton, by the pupils of the Beresford-street Public School, in aid of the funds of the Howe-street Kindergarten. There was an excellent attendance, and the whole programme was carried out under the supervision of Mr. E. Mr. Hanson, the head-master of the school. The cricket match at Lancaster Park, between a Canterbury eleven and Lillywhite and Shrewsbury's team did not attract a very large attendance. The weather was beautiful, and the wicket in capital order. The match was not played out, but was greatly in favour of the Englishmen, who made S8 in each of their innings, while Canterbury made 54 in one.