MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11151, 25 August 1899, Page 3

MEETINGS AND ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE OPERA HOUSE. The season of tlio Afro-American Minstrels at tho Opera House is rapidly drawing to a close, the last four nights being announced. Last evening there was a moderate audience present, and tho programme submitted was well received. "Le Duel de Noir.'illo," tho first part, gave tho company full scops for the display of their humorous talents, and the introduced songs were well sang. Mr. Percy Denton, in his " budget of funniositios," provided much amusement. Mr. Ernest Hogan and Mr. Tom Logan contributed their full share to the fun. Miss Mndah A. Hyer's operatic seleotions were well received, and the other ladies of tho company ably sustained their parts. The orchestra, under Professor Charles F. Alexander, rendered a number of very nice selections. The same programme will bo repeated thi„ evening.

THE GAIETY COMPANY. The over-increasing popularity of the Gaiety Company was again ovinced last evening by the crowded audience, both up and downstairs, which greeted tho performors on the rise of tho curtain. The programme of the previous evening was repeated, the performance being attended with pronounced succoss throughout. "The Aerial Garden Party," in which many clover sketches, witty repartoo, and songs are introduced, furnished tke first part of tho programmo. Mr. J. E. Shepherd's fino singing was much admired, while Miss Miriam Lewis was compelled to respond to several encores. In fact) almost without oxception, every item was encored. Hie Messrs. Leelio Brothers also gave the utmost satisfaction, and "Tho Silver Streak of Perpetual Motion," by Mr. Manuel Woodson, and the three Keziahs, was the cfluso of much wonderment and applause. Tomorrow night there will be a change of programme, when tho vorsatilo Leslio Brothers will appear in the sketch, " "Waiting for the Train," and a number of other now items will be submitted.

SACRED CONCERT AT WEST TAMAKI. Ou Wednesday evening last there evontualod in tho Presbyterian Church at West Tamaki a very entertaining sacred concert, arranged by tho members of tho church. I'll? Rev. D. J. Steele pros Mod. In response'"to a _ general invitation, the church was filled with a large audience, assembed from Tamaki and tho surrounding districts, and all evidently enjoyed themselves. Friends from (Kara and oven from town joined to assist, and a good programme was submitted, consisting of tho anthem. "Tho Lord Is My Shepherd," by the choir, of over 25 voices; piano solo, Miss Searchfield; sacred solo, "Now Heaven ill Fullest Glory," Mr. John Ryan; duct for violin and piano, Misses Good and Spooner; song, "Queen of Angels," Miss Patterson; a short interesting address by Mr. R. Dick; song, "Tho Chorister," Mr. H. Whito; solo and chorus, "My Yoico Shalt Thou Hear," Mrs. Wyllie anil tho choir voeal duet, "Tho Sea of Glass," Miss and Mr. Kimpton; address by Mr. H. Pilkington; piano solo, Mrs. Austin; song, "The Lost Chord," Mr. Ryan; song, "Tho City of Rost," Miss Patterson; song, "Jerusalem," Mr. Whito; and anthem, "Holy is tho Lord Our God," by tho choir. During the interval refreshments were handed round. A voto of thanks, proposed by Mr. J. Massey, in a few appropriate remarks, was carried by acclamation to ell who had so ably and heartily assisted to make the evening an enjoyablo one. The accompanists were Mrs. Austin and Misses Pilkington and Wyllie.

HIT-STREET LITERARY SOCIETY. The usual weekly meeting of tho Pitt-street Literary Society was held last evening, tho Rev. W. J. Williams in the chair. The evening was devoted to the reading of tho society's journal, to which tho following articles were contributed"Originality and Cleverness," " Some Minor Vexations of Life," " Air and its Mechanical Uses," "When tho Heart is Young" (poem), "Books of Influence," " All but. Best" (poem), "Wanted, Homes," "A Critic on Poetry," 'Tho Forward Drift" (poem), "Gambling." The soveral articles aroused considerable discussion, and altogether a pleasant and instructive evening was spent.

WOMEN'S DEMOCRATIC UNION. The Women's Democratic Union hold their fortnightly meeting on Tuesday evening, the president, Mrs. ICirkby, in the chair. Considerable discussion took place with referencee to an article on tho Costley Training Home, which appeared in a recent issue of the Herald, it being finally decided to write to Ino trustees for information on the following subjects:—-1. If the Act passed by the Legislature made Mr. Costley'g bequest equally uoneficial to boys and girls, how it comes about that the number benefited by the institution is so unequal—B2 boys and only 12 gir s, haying passed through? 2. Why, the girls being weaker, have not as much right to the comforts of a homo and the care of a matron as the boys, instead of being boarded out during their soliool days? 3. Why tlib girls upon leaving soliool are not allowed tho same _ privilege as the boys, namely, that of learning any trade or calling they may show a special aptitude for? Instead of this, according to the article in question, they are sent to domestic service directly tlioy leave school. Finally, if any girls are being maintained under the Costley boquest at the present time? It was also agreed that the Charitable Aid Board be asked if it is absolutely impossible to institute an eight hours' day for nurses, no was proposed some time ago it being reported last week tlmt two of tho nurses had contracted typhoid fever through overwork. It was also agreed, in reply to a request, that a petition bo forwarded to Wellington, urging that a public inquiry be held into the reason of all the ohanges made in the staff of tho Auckland Lunatic Asylum during the last two years and a-half, seven more resignations having Been sent in during tho past week.

BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH. A public meeting of the ratepayers of the Birkenhead Borough, to select three candidates for the borough election, was held on Wednesday evening in the Zion Hill schoolroom. There was a fair attendance. Mr. J. E. Gascoinc was voted to the chair. The following gentlemen were proposed:—Mr. A. Keyes, Mr. J. R. Gascoine, Mr. W. Bagot, Mr. W. Wallace, and Mr. Taylor, sen. Oil the motion of Mr. H. Jones, a ballot was taken, which resulted as follows:—Mr. Gascoinc, 19 votes; Mr. Kcyes, 18; Mr. Taylor, 11 Mr. Wallace, 9; Mr. Bagot, 2. It was resolved, " That this meeting pledges itself to support tho three candidates selected." A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman.