AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8669, 11 September 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

AMUSEMENTS.

Tun entertainment given in St. Sepulchre's schoolroom on August 20, in aid of the funds of the Auckland Lawn Tennis Club, drew a very largo attendance, the building being crowded to the doors. The programme presented was an exceptionally good one, consisting of some excellent items of vocal and instrumental music, and a number of very pretty tableaux. An original farce, entitled The Effect of a Trip to Waiwora," in which the parts were taken by the Mioses Taylor, and Messrs. Dawson, Gilmour, and Taylor, brought a very enjoyable evening's amusement to a close. The second annual social of the employes of Messrs. A. Clark and Sons, Shortlandstreet, held in St. George's Hall, Newton, on Aug. 14, proved a most delightful gathering, and a great success in every respect. There were fully 200 persons in attendance. Tho entertainment which took place on August 14 in the Otahuhu Public Hall in aid of the Anglican Parsonage Fund was most successful, the largo hall being crowded.

A welcome soiree to Mr. Courtney and his immigrants was held at New Plymouth on Aug. 17, and was largely attended. The Mayor occupied the chair, and eulogised Mr. Courtney's perseverance as an immigration agent under great difficulties. The immigrants expressed themselves pleased with the district ami their prospects.

Asocial gathering to inaugurate the opening of the Masonic Institute, in the premises taken in the Australian Mutual Insurance Buildings, was held on August 20, and was most successful. The industry of the committee and the generosity of the brethren, were shown in tho elegant display of handsomely furnished rooms well lighted, and set off by a tine array of Masonic pictures and photos, and ready for the reception of the most fastidious company. There was a crowded audience, representing not only the New Zealand constitution of Freemasonry, but the sister Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland. There were upwards of 100 brethren present. The Chairman (Brother Tewsley) gave an outline of the steps, which had been taken to establish the Institute, and Brother Niccol also addressed the meeting, and then declared the hall duly open for the despatch of business. (Cheers.) Cheers were given for Brother Tewsley and Brother Basley. An excellent programme of musical selections and recitations was given. The plain and fancy dress ball, held in the Foresters' Hall on August 20, under the auspices of the Auckland Caledonian Society, proved a most successful and enjoy • able gathering. There were about eighty couples in attendance. The hall, which was tastefully' decorated with flags and flowers, presented an attractive appearance, and the bright arid varied dresses of the ladies lent an additional charm to the scene.

There was a large attendance on the 20th August at the fortnightly entertainment of the Burns Club. Mr. Lankham presided. A good programme occupied the evening, and was very favourably received.

The Opera House was opened on Aug. 21 for a benefit performance to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Vivian, and it was announced to be under the patronage of the operative bootmakers, for whose benefit the company had already given an entertainment, but the weather was un propitious, and the audience was not so large as it should have been. The comedy " Pink Dominoes" was staged, and on the whole played very well.

The exhibition unci polytechnic display in connection with the Newton Congregational Sunday School was opened on t.he 23th August in the presence of numerous friends by the pastor, the Rev. H. J. Lewis. The exhibits, numbering about 300, were carefully classified and attractively displayed, and the variety and skill of the work done gave one an instructive insight into the technical ability which can bo drawn out of the average schoolboy and schoolgirl. The following is the prize list: — Crayons : Ist, Nellie Cook. Wall texts: 2nd, Eva Lewis. Oil paintings : Ist, Bertha Wood ; 2nd, Grace Lewis. Waiting (under 17 years): Ist, Bertha Wood. Writing (under 12 years):. Ist,. Ada Alice Peace. Essays (under, 12 years): Ist, John Porter ; '2nd, Edith Stewart: (under 17 years), Ist, Daisy Spragg. Plain sewing: Ist,, Mary Ellen Peace (for pair of trousers),' Jessie Currie ; 2nd, Winnie Wells ; 3rd, Bertha Wood. Fancy picture frames : Ist, l.'ccil Lee; 2nd, Fred Rowe. Models (plaster cast): Ist, Constance Crook ; honourable mention, Charles Pollard. Bookshelf: Ist, Richard Edgar. Cone brackets : Ist, R. Campbell. Kites : Ist, "Wilfred Spragg ; 2nd, Bertie Knapman. Cyclostyle : Ist, Herbert- Ross. Set •fireirons: Ist, Albert Elder. Shades of flowers and, fruit: Ist, Jenny Porter ; 3rd, Ivy Brown. Fancy shollbox : Ist, Laurie Rowe; 2nd, Freddie Lee. Draught 2nd, Aloe Edgar. Cushions and fancy work: Ist, Rose Fitness, Daisy Spragg, Bertha Lee ; 2nd, Alice Rowe, Alice Siddle, Sarita Porter, AliceTaylor; 3rd, Bessie Hewson, May Fitness, Louie Bowles, May Hewson, Elsie Rowe, Lizzie Benth, Minnie Rowe. Five railway itrucks, loaded: Ist, Cordon Rowe. Inlaid table-top : Ist, John Stewart, ' INow Zealand flag : 3rd, Win. Maud. Tea packing : -2nd, W. Knapimin. Barrows : Ist, Freddie Lee; 2nd, Percy Lee. Pine cones: 3rd, C. Nicholson and P. Brcnnan. Lady's bridle : Lsc, Alfred Beuths. Bookbinding : Ist, George Broberg. Umbrella stand and drain pipe : 2nd, John Porter. Boats : Ist, E. Wilcox; 2nd, C. Pollard; 3rd, W. Crook. Pot plants: Ist, Rose Fitness and E. Crook ; 2nd, Daisy Spragg and Walter Crook ; 3rd, Kate Cann and Percy Lee. : An enjoyable and instructive lecture was delivered on Aug; 19 in St. Luke's Church, Remuera, by .Professor Thomas. The Rev. G. B. Monro, the minister of the church, in the chair. i The subject of the lecture was " Mount Cook and the Southern Alps." The lecturer discoursed eloquently upon the magnificent scenery of our Southern Alps, and illustrated it by beautiful limelight views. He said ho did not wish to say that we had finer mountains in this than in any other country, but he would aay the South-, ern Alps of New Zealand would favourably compare in grandeur and beauty with those in any part of the world. The lecture was highly appreciated. At its close a hearty vote of thanks was carried to the lecturer by acclamation. St. David's Presbyterian Church in Upper Symonds-street was crowded on August 25, when the Rev. R. Scott West repeated his interesting and highly entertaining lecture on " Scottish Characteristics." The numerous amusing anecdotes with which the lecture was besprinkled served to keep the audience in a continuous ripple-of merriment, and also admirably , answered the purpose of illustrating the traits of Caledonian character which received the lecturer's attention. The annual display of athletic and gymnastic feats by .Professor Carrollo and the members of the All Saints' Athletic Club, in conjunction with a concert, was hold on August 31 at the Opera House, and attracted a crowded audience, all parts of the house being packed. The programme was a very varied one, and the excellence of its numerous items caused frequent and prolonged applause.

A very successful concert was held on the" 20th August in the Academy of Music, Thames, in aid of the funds of the Hauraki Ladies' Benevolent Society. The hall was packed. On Friday night, August 21, a, grand concert and ball eventuSted at Panniure. . The function, which was a complimentary one to the Very Rev. Monsignore Walter McDonald, was a most pronounced success in every respect, a fact which redounds'to the credit of the chief promoters, Mr. and Mrs. J. ITogan. At - the conclusion of the concert, Father Walter, in an eloquent and appropriate address, returned his sincere thanks to all who had contributed to tho success of the entertainment, and made special and appreciating reference to the visitors from Auckland. The tenth anniversary of Loyal Franklin Lodge, No. G433, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was celebrated by holding a subscription ball in the Otahuhu Public Hall, on Wednesday evening, August 19. The arrangements for the ball were carried out in a most satisfactory manner. The hall wn& beautifully and tastefully decorated. About 120 couples were present. Other lodges were represented by delegates and friends from Auckland and elsewhere. The progress of this particular lodge has been very marked. It was established at Otahuhu in 1881, just ten years ago, with 17 members, and there are. now 59 on the roll. There is now a credit balance in bank of £350 to the sick and funeral fund, besides a credit balance to management fund. A vocal and instrumental concert was given in the Catholic Institute on Friday, August 28, by the pupils of the Marist Brothers' School. There was a crowded attendance. • The programme was gone throughout creditably, and the choruses, under the direction of Brother Philips, being given with great spirit, and deservedly applauded. The inclement weather which prevailed during the afternoon and evening of August 20 did not prevent a very large number of visitors from attending at the 1 oxhibition held in the Newton Congregational Church. The chief attraction was the cake and apron fair, at which a very brisk trade was done, a large number of articles being disposed of. The exhibition has been a financial success, and the committee hope to raise about £40.

A very fine concert and entertainment in aid of the funds of the St. George's Rowing Club was given on Wednesday evening, the 26th August, in St. Bonaventura Hall, Parnell. The entertainment throughout was a very pleasing one. A most successful reunion was held on Aug. 31 at the Auckland College, and Grammar School buildings, ►Symond.-s-street, which reflects the greatest credit on all concerned. The programme included "Lea Marionettes of Girlitt," which the school orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Trevithiok, rendered admirably. This was followed by a scene from Molierc's " La Comtesse d'Escarbajrnas," the characters in which were admirably rendered, the Comtesse of Miss. Winifred Dudley being a distinct creation. A violin solo by Robert 'Walton was well done, and evidenced an apt pupil and clever teacher. A number of, • the nig Indies of the 'school ( lien gave scenes translated and adapted from Molicre's " Malado Imaginaire." The boys finished the evening with scenes from "The Rivals." On August 27 a very successful concert was held in All Saints' schoolroom, in aid of the funds of the Sunday-school, and it attracted an audience that taxed the accommodation of the building to its utmost limits. The programme was throughout of a sacred character, tableaux and musical items alternating, find in each the performers were considerably above the average of merit, attained at such entertaiments. The conceit and exhibition of tableaux given in St. James' Hall on September 4, in aid of the funds of the choir of St. James' Church, proved an unqualified success, both as regards the excellence of the performance and the number of friends in attendance, the large hall being crowded with an appreciative audience. The musical portion of the programme was quite a treat, and the tableaux were carefully chosen and effectively staged, and reflected thegreatest credit upon all concerned in their production.

An interesting magic-lantern entertainment, in aid of the evangelistic work of the Young Men's Christian Association, was given in the City Hall to a very large audience on the Bth September. The views exhibited were illustrative of the travels and discoveries of ' Livingstone,' Stanley, and Cameron in the interior of Africa, an excellent connective and descriptive reading, including numerous extracts from the works of Stanley, being given by Mr. 0. E. Button. During the evening a number of songs were given. The orchestra of the Auckland Choral Society may be termed a new organisation, and their performance at the Choral Hall on August 2S was not only creditable as a first performance, but entirely meritorious, and we venture to think that few who were present at the crowded audience assembled that night expected such very marked perfection and success, achieved, too, as it has been, in a comparatively short time. But the conductor, Hcrr Carl Schmitt, has had excellent material to work on, and the orchestra has had the advantage of a veteran conductor, able to take the best possible advantage of all opportunities and talent, and with the advantage of such a leader of the orchestra as Herr Tutschka he has had able assistance. Without flattery we may say that Her r Schmitt may well be proud of the achievement of the orchestra and vocalists. The programme was a lengthy one, but was selected with extreme care. The members of the Young Men's Christian Association were " At Home " in their rooms on Friday night, the 28th August, receiving a very large number of friends and providing them, as usual, with an excellent, enjoyable, and profitable evening's entertainment. The large lecture-room was crowded while the concert was proceeding, while others were interesting themselves with objects'of interest placed in other rooms, and when the hour for an adjournment to the refreshment room arrived, it seemed as if to attend to all the guests would lie a sheer impossibility. .Thanks, however, to the skilful management and exhaust,less energy on the part of the numerous young men who lent willing assistance, all the difficulties were surmounted, and all were sent home at a reasonable hour, delighted with what they had seen, hoard, and assimilated. The annual military concert of Hunter's Artillery and Garrison Band was held at the City Hall on Tuesday, the Ist September, when a capital programme of vocal and instrumental music was arranged. In the interval Sergeant McCallum was presented by Mr. Reid, late captain of the "0 Battery, to Major Goring, in order that the medals which he had won while serving in the Battery might be presented to mm. Major Goring said lie was very happy to present to Sergeant McCallum the two medals which he had so well earned, and his success showed that volunteers could become experts by '''practice and attention to duty, as Sergeant McC,ilium had shown. He then pinned the medals on Sergeant McCallum's breast, amidst loud cheer?-.