AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8355, 8 September 1890, Page 10

AMUSEMENTS.

igreat scene was witnessed on Aug. 11 at lie City Hall, when tho public of Auckland issembled to bid farewell to -Mrs. Balmson, vho is about to leave for Melbourne. The mdience was one of the largest ever seen in he City Hall. This popular demonstra.ion was only what should have been exjeeted. A singer of rare {rifts and accom>lishments, Mrs. Balmson has done much or the cause of music in this colony, and ier influence in this respect from an educational point of view alone, lias been verv jreat. Mr. George C. Miln arid several members )f his company were tho guests of the savage Club on the 11th August. There ■vere numerous songs and recitations. The liost noticeable features were the call by he president on Mr. Miln, and his response. Tho president touched on the debating effects of drama and plays. Mr. Miln, in responding, made a characteristic speech. Mr. Montgomery and other members of the Miln Company gave contributions to the evening's entertainment. Tiie invitations to a social entertainment md conccrt, issued by Mr. H. B. .Morton o the working men of Newmarket and heir wives and children, met with a hearty •espouse on August 11. The Newmarket Hall was crowded to the doors, admission jeitig free on production of invitation card. Mr. Morton presided. Tho entertainment ,vas an excellent one, consisting of vocal '.tut instrumental music, readings, recitations, etc. During the interval refreshnent* were handed round to the audience On the '21st August the Remuern Social Union gave one of its pleasant entertainments. The programme opened with a pianoforte solo by Miss VVliewell. A series if tableaux, representing " The Babes in -lie Wood," succeeded. Mrs. Russell obtained an encore for her song, as also did Mr. Beet-hum for "Our Village Penny Reading." A tableaux " The Watch Girl," followed, as also several other tableaux, equally interesting. A miscellaneous entertainment in aid of :he school gymnasium was given in the hail >f St. John's College, Tatnaki, on Aug. -''J. The hall was tastefully decorated with lags and floral devices. The entertainment consisted of a concert, under tho direction if Kerr Tutschka, and a gymnastic display conducted by Professor Carrollo. Unfor;unately the night was squally, and as a •esult there was but a poor audience. The liilerent items of tho programme were capitally rendered. An "open night" was given at the Tabernacle Gymnasium on the '20th August. There were about 30 athletes present, and is many visitors. Mr. F. I fay acted as :hairman in the absence of Pastor Birch, vho had a preaching appointment at Pan mure. The members of tho gym)asiuin went through their exercises under lie leadership of Mr. E. C. Jones, namely, lutnb-bells in squad, parallel bars, Indian dub exercise in squads, military horse, nazes, and varieties by Messrs. Jones and IJlonificld. Miss Clemens sang " White ings," and Miss Battley a selection ; pianoforte solos were rendered by Mrs. liirch and Mr. Wells. Refreshments were landed round at intervals, and the proceedings closed with the National Anthem. The members of the Caledonian Society ,'ave a very enjoyable fancy dro s ball iii ho Foresters' Hall on Aug. 28. There were ibout -10 couples present. The varied fancy 00-'tiitnes gave the assembly an exceedingly ,'ay and pleasant appearance, and as a natter of course tho highland costume prevailed. Messrs. Ewcn and N. White icted as M.C.'s in a most ellicient manner, tnd all present seemed highly pleased with :iio evening's amusements. The fourth annual soiree and concert oi he Birkenhead and Northcote Fruitgrowers' Association was held on August 27 it Gladstone Hall, Northcote. J)uring in interval, Mr. J. Barber, the president" uged t!ie claims of the society upon the support not only of tho fruit-growers, jut others who, as property-owners, were .nterested in the progress of the district., ihat efforts would be put forth to make thu lext show even more successful than the last had been. Mr. Cameron McAlpine gave a humourpus and at the same time instructive lee;ure in the Foresters' Hall on tho 30 th August to a large audience. Ho said that ;ho subject of his lecture would be 'Heads and What is in Them," to which le added "Sometimes Nothing." The subject was illustrated by numerous diagrams of heads of various descriptions. The City Hail was crowded to excess on August "2s, when a concert, promoted bv he Auckland branch of the New Zealand Assistants' Union, was held in aid of the unds of the early closing movement. The third of the series of concerts was riven in Ralph's Hall, Huntiy, on the 25L1: August, the proceeds of which are to lie demoted to tho church building fund. Tin lev. J. A. McKinney presided, when a fill md appreciative programme was rendered o a large audience. The net proceeds ol he three concerts, after paying all exlenses, exceeds £30. Beautiful weather favoured the Hawke'. Kay v. Wellington football match, at Napiei m Saturday, August 30, and the grounr vas in splendid order for fast play. Owiu; ,o the recent defeat of Hawke's Bay by Tara laki, Wellington wore strong favourites, £ ;o '2 being offered before the match. Tin ;ame ended in a win for Hawke's Bay by 7 joints to 3. Tho Loyal Franklin Lodge of Oddfellows M.U., celebrated their ninth anniversary b\ a ball in the Otahuliu Public. Hall on Wed nesday, August '27. The committee are to b( congratulated on its success. The large hal was tilled to its utmost extent, and owiiu ;o the excellent management of the M.C.'s

Messrs. C. Rowe and J. Baxter, a most enjoyable evening was spent. An excellent spread was laid during the interval. After the supper, Brother Cole, P.P.G.M., in the absence of the D.C.M., delivered a short address, in which lie referred to the great strides made by the M.U.0.0.F. during the last 35 years, in the increase of its membership and accumulated funds, besides the I immense stuns distributed through the sick j and relief fmulr. The sister lodges of Auckland and surrounding districts were well represented. On September 5 a dinner was given at the Auckland Club by His Worship the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. Upton) to the City Council and representative public bodies of Auckland. The following were those invited: — The City Council: Messrs. Davies, Farrell Goldie, Atkin, Swales, Lavcrs, Warren, Lennox, Crowtlier, Smith, Cooper, Hewson Trenwith, Grey, Holland, Dignati, Wright' and Paterson. The Advisory CommitteeMr. Justice Conolly, Professor Brown, Rev. j J. Bates, Messrs. W. Berry, A. ii. Devore | T. W. Leys, T. Herbert, and 10. M. C. Har- i rison. The Hanging Committee : Messrs. K. I Bartley, J. L. Holland, and J. Symons ' the city banker, Mr. James Coates ; the citv

solicitor, Mr. Thomas Cotter ; the Town Clerk, Mr. P. A. Philips ; tho cit£ engineer, Mr. W. Anderson; the city treasurer, Mr. W. Payne. The Harbour Board : The chairman, Mr. M. Niccol: the secretary, ."Mr. J, M. Brigham. The Chamber of Commerce : The president, Captain Colbeck. The University Council: The chairman, Sir Maurice O'Rorke; the deputy chairman, Bishop Cowie ; the Registrar, Rev. Dr. Kidd. The Grammar School Board : The deputy chairman, The Hon. Colonel Haultain. The Board of Education : The chairman, Mr. R. Udy ; the secretary, Mr. V. E. Rice. The City Schools Committee: The chairman, Mr. J. Blades. The Savings Bank : The vicepresident : Mr. \V. S. Laurie; the manager, Mr. R. Cameron. The Charitable Aid Board : The chairman, Mr. C. Atkin ; the secretary, Mr. 11. H. Garland. The Auckland Institute : Tho president, Mr. James Stewart. The Volunteers: Lieut. - Col. Shepherd. The Police : Mr. Superintendent Broham. The Press: The editors of the Herald, Star, and Observer, reporters Herald and Star. Mr. W. Gorrie, Mr. jH. T. Gome. After a dinner laid in complete style, and comprising many choice and excellent dishes, the toasts of "The Queen" and "His Excellency the Governor" and other appropriate toasts were proposed and responded to.