MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11150, 24 August 1899, Page 3

MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

AFRO-AMERICAN MINSTRELS. There was a fair audience at the Opera House last night, when the Afro-American Minstrel Company, which is about to tour the colony, repeated their unique entertainment. The minstrel sketch, "Uncle Eph's Return," again pleased the audience, while the funnyisms of Messrs. Ernest Hogan and Denton created considerable laughter. The vocal solos of "the Bronze Patti," the acrobatic turn of "the Little Siren," the danoing of the Kentuck Four, and the other items included in the programme were loudly applauded, and the concluding farce sent the audience away in a good humour.

THE GAIETY COMPANY. The success of the new artists engaged by the management of the Gaiety Company has evidently been heralded far and wide, as the enterprising proprietors were again rewarded with a crowded attendance last evening at the City Hall, when Mr. Manuel Woodson and the three sisters Keziali made their second bow before an Auckland audience. Mr. Woodson, who is aptly described on the programme as " tho silver stroak of perpetual motion," astounded the onlookers by the marvellous manner in which he twisted himself about, and few in the audience would have been surprised had this wonderful contortionist anuounoed his intention of tying himself in a knot. He only remains on the stage fo rthree minutes, but during that brief space of time he accomplishes some 14 or 15 distinct postures. The charming and sprightly trio of Keziali Sisters, in their acrobatio ladder act, delighted the audience with their novel and daring feats, performed with a celerity and cleanness only witnessed in the caso of artists of the highest order. That their cleverness was fully recognised was evidenced by tho continuous rounds of applause that followed tho conclusion of the "turn." No less successful in their own part-ioular line of business woro the Leslio Brothers in the screamingly funny musical aot, " The Lunatics," tho amusing patter of brother Fred, and the skilful manipulation of the multifarious instruments from which the pair extract sweet musio thoroughly entertaining the patrons of tho City Hall for from 15 to 20 minutes. Miss Miriam Lewis and Mr. J. E. Shepherd were as suoccssful as ever in the scene from "La Fille de Madame Angot," having to respond to an imperative encore; and the several other artists also contributed largely to tho enjoyment of the evening,

ENTERTAINMENT "BY PUPILS OF ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL. St. Benedict's spacious hall was well filled last night, when the pupils of St. Joseph's school, Surrey Hills, gave a dramatic entertainment. The opening chorus, "Tho Holiday Duet," by the pupils, was capitftlly sung, as were also the other choruses. They showed that the children must have been carefully and assiduously trained by their teachers. The pupils also went through a " scarf drill" very prettily, and the infants were loudly applauded foi their singing of a little action song called " Ton Little Servants." A dialogue, entitled, "Wanted, a Lady Help," was well done, tho parts being taken by the following —Mrs. Robinson (lady of the house). Miss F. McGregor; Mary (housemaid], Miss M. Owens; Ann (ladv help), Miss A, Smith); Betsy (lady help), Miss F. O'Connell; /i i a (lady help), Miss M. Peterson: Sarah lady help), Miss M. Petty. " The Somnambulist, another dialogue, also caused amusement. Tho characters wore:— Mr. Higginson la ™ 01 Master E. Long; Kate (his daughter), Miss Murphy: Tom (his son), Master J. Lanigan; Harold Morris (an oxquisite), Master Gr, Brown; Jimmy O'Brien (a hired man and somnambulist), Master Harry LeahyOfficer, Master H. Peterson. Other items which were all well rendered were:— } alloy by 'ho Sea," Miss M. Ogilvie; pianoforte duet, ' Tho Shepherd's Evening Song, ' Misses M. Casey and M. Fairweather; vocal duet, The Lily and Rose," Misses Hayes and E. Wan; song, " Th Gift," Miss label Mills; pianoforte trio, "Bonnie Dundoo Quadrillos, Misses Gibson, Mills, and Aolson; song " Ting-a-ling-ting-tay," Master ft. Long; dialogue, "Sambo's Sea Voyage" "TM lor jr ßob £ rt ,l „ ai ' d White; vocal' duet, in 10 ™ Be ' V Misses M. Ogilvie and anus. ilio pupils wore assisted by Mrs. Scholium (neo Fitzpatriek) and Signorina Antoinette Alboggiani. Tho formor's singing ana the latter s mandolin playing wero quite ten tares of the evening, as the applause testi"ls 'i . T Cat littlo drama, entitled, Krulgot s Investment," was played by the following pupils:— (a servant), Miss Clark; Mrs. Morgan (lady of the house), Mi« Duggan; Boy (selling polish). Master "Into; Agent (soiling tea), Master E. Long iSo better proof of the efficacy of tho Sisters' methods of leaching could be given than last nißht s entertainment, and troth teachers and children deserve great credit for tho successtill roslllt , of , their preparations. Miss Graco accompanied tho vocalists, choruses, otc most efficiently The front of tho house was well looked after b, Mr. J. T. O'Connell.

LECTURE AT DEVONPORT At the Dovonport Presbyterian schoolroom last niplit Mr. William Webster, of Kohukohu, Hokiango, delivered a lecture on the subject of Memories of Maoriland, or Experiences m the Olden Times." The lecture, which was in aid of the manse fund, was deci< ledly interesting. Mr. Webster, one of the oldest identities in our midst, and ono of the 111 os popular settlers in the Northern districts, spoke of interesting; experiences in the forties, of his walk from Wellington to Hokianga before the seat of Parliament was properly settled by Europeans, of the Northern wars with the Maoris, and also related many interesting reminiscences of Maori chiefs and Europeans who have long since departed. The lecture was a most enjoyable one, and at its oloso Mr. Webster was heartily thanked lor having enabled those present to pass a pleasant and instructive evening.

FROM LONDON STREETS TO THE PULPIT. Last evening, at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, the Rev. W. Ready repeated his thrilling lecture from London Streets to the Pulpit, or tho Story of My Life." The Rev. W. T. Williams presided. As usuil, Mr. Roady attracted an immenso audience, the spacious building being thronged by interested listened, both up and down stairs. His descriptions of street life were realistically depicted, the lecturer possessing a good fund of humour, combined with great capacity for the relation of incident. Throughout Mr. Ready was listened to with tho utmost attention, and frequently applauded. The proceeds of tho evening were devoted to tho oirouit funds.