ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11448, 11 August 1900, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. ... The City Hall was again well attended last evening, when all tho old favourites camo in for a hearty recognition from their host of patrons. The chief item of interest was tho excruciatingly funny, and admirably ebver antics performed by Professor Davys' Giant Marionettes. Laughter was universal during the remarkably clever performance, and each and every scene of the clever "toy" artistes was followed very closely. School children and their parents have a treat this afternoon, when a special matinee performance will be given. FULLER'S WAXWORKS. The Agricultural Hall, tho home of Mr. John Fuller's Waxworks and Bijou Concert Company, was more than well filled last evening. Each and every member of tho clever vaudeville company came in for a hearty recognition from tho audience. A grand change of programme is announced for tonight, when a newcomer, with a great reputation, Mons. Zavoni, the king of tho stackwiro, will make his appearance. On Monday evening, Mr. John Fuller will mnko his reappearance beforo tho Auckland public, when undoubtedly a cordial welcome will bo given to this favourite artiste.

PIGEON AND CANARY SHOW. The Auckland and Suburban Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Club's first annual pigeon and canary exhibition was continued yesterday, when ft largo attendance of the public was noticeable at all times throughout tho day. The show will be reopened this morning at ten o'clock-, and will finally close at ton o'clock to-night, Tho following is tho list of prizewinners who have been successful in winning the club's massive silver cups and trophies:—Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co.'s tropin- for the exhibitor scoring the most points in any distinct breed and colour in the pigeon classes. Mr. M. Hamon; cup for the best working homer in the show, Mr. J. Hopkins; trophy for the best bird in tho largest class, Mr. E. J. Thomas; trophy for the best roller pigeon, Mr. M. Hamon; trophy foi the exhibitor scoring most points in homers. Mr. W. Frickcr; Mr. Kohn's gold medal for the exhibitor scoring most paints in Belgian, Scotch Fancy, Yorkshire and Norwich canaries, Mr. J. M. Thomson; the committee's silver card stand, for '.he best canary in the show, Mr. J. M. Thomson; Messrs. Scegner, Langguth and Co.'s trophy for tho best Norwich canary, Mr. J. M. Thomson, and tho trophy for tho exhibitor scoring most points in Belgian, Yorkshire and Scotch Fancy canaries, Mr. W. Nelson.

OTARA MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. The fortnightly meeting of the Otara Mutual Improvement Association was held in the Otara Hall. The president (Mr. 0. W. Clerk) in the chair. Tho evening took the form of a social, and was well attended. During the evening refreshments, kindly provided by the ladies, were handed round. The business for Tuesday, Auorust 14, is a paper bv Mr. Edwin Hall, of Onchunga, on "A Trip from San Francisco to tho Missouri," to which all are cordially invited.

PROPOSED PONSONBY MUSICAL SOCIETY. A mooting of Ponsonby residents was held on Thursday evening in tho All Saints' schoolroom, when tho following resolution was carried unanimously:-"It is desirable to form a society in Ponsonby for the practice and performance of vocal music." Mr. A. S. Kussell was elected chairman and Mr. J. W. Court noting secretary. Mr. Leslie Hunt, the proposed conductor, was present, and gave the mooting much useful information. Over 40 ladies ami gentlemen have promised to join the society already, and many of the leading residents have promised their support. A public meeting will bo called shortly to enrol performing and subscribing members, and the society will start practice as Boon as possible.

LODGE UNITED SERVICE SOCIAL. A social gathering to celebrato the installation of Brother J. C, Pelhnm as Worshipful Master of Lodge United Service No. 10, and of his fellow officers, was held at tho Freemasons' Hall last evening. Between 50 and 60 couples attended, and a very enjoyable dance programme was gone through, capital music being provided by Mr. I'. Reid's string orchestra. The newly-installed Worshipful Master and Brother J. H. Love, hon. sec. aro to bo complimented on tho excellence of tho arrangements; the several interpolated vocal and instrumental items provided, for adding largely .to the enjoyment of tho evening.

CONCERT AT Y.M.C.A. The winter course of entertainments at the Y.M.C.A. was continued last night, when Mr. J. H. Phillpot and friends tendered a concert, which was a complete success, raid most thoroughly enjoyed by tho large, audience which had assembled in spite of tho unpropitious weather. The opening number was an overture, " The Diamond Crown, performed by the orchestra with the utmost taste and precision. Other orchestral selections rendered by the same talented performers later in the evening were " Fontambleu," "Egyptian Patrol," and "King Cotton," all of which were cordially received. Miss Lily Sill was extremely successful in he* song, "Lot Me Dream Again, her clearness of enunciation and sympathetic singing producing great applause She was equally successful in her Eecond solo, " For Thine' Own Sake." A charming rendition of " Children of the City," by Miss Mary Laing, secured for that lady a well-merited encore, in response to which she sang " Sweet Vale of Avoca." In both numbers her pleasing contralto voice was heard to great advantage, and she was no less happy in her rendering of "An Island Fair" later in the evening. Miss Clara Wallett was highly successful in her manipulation of the difficult piano solo, "Sonata Air Yurie in A," as in her accompaniments to the orchestral numbers. Mr. W. Muster received quite an ovation for his artistic rendition of the solo, "Tho Fire King," a song new to Auckland. He gave as an encore a delightful rendering of "Only Once More." In his third contribution, "Thou Art Passing Hence," his vocal powers wero also displayed to.full advantage. Mr. Wallett's violin solo, " 12th Sonata" (Mozart), was much appreciated. The accompaniments to the vocal items were played by Mr. J. H. Phillpot, who also conducted the orchestra. The promoters aro to lie congratulated upon the musical treat provided. Mr. Hemery presided, and at the closo a vote of thanks was, on tho motion of Di. Knight, accorded to Mr. Phillpot and his friends for providing the concert.

NEW ZEALAND LITERARY AND HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. Tho members of the New Zealand Literary and Historical Association held their regular monthly meeting at the Harbour boardroom on Thursday. Tho president (Mr. H. J. D. Mahon) occupied tho chair. The first paper was ono on "Auckland: Its Beauty Spots and Blots," by Miss Keane. In dealing with the beauty spots, Miss Kcane showed her appreciation of and love for the beauties of naturo 60 freely bestowed on our city and surroundings, and a desire that those who go by them daily with utter indifference should ho taught to see and enjoy also. But in pointing out the blots and dealing with them, sho showed her varied powers of observation to even greater advantage. While making every allowance for the difficulties encountered in building up a new city, she criticised sharply the work of our borough councillors, and blamed tho citizens for not electing men with the necessary capabilities. The limited patronage given to true art in our city was also included amongst a number of other blots. In fact, the paper was a most exhaustive one, and elicited the applause it merited. The subject of' the other papor was "The Spiritual Concepts ol the Maori." It was written by Mr. Elsdon Best, of Ruatalmna, probably the best authority on the subject in New Zealand. In Mr. Best's absence, it was read by the president. It dealt with the various superstitions and religious beliefs of the Maori in pro-pakoha days, alluding, amongst other things, to tho fear expressed by an old native to the writer that the dwindling of the race was duo to their giving up their old observance of the sacred laws of tapu. A hearty voto of thanks to the members who had contributed the papers concluded the mooting.

AUCKLAND LAW INSTITUTE. Tho annual meeting of the Auckland Law Instihito was held last evening in tho Supreme Court library. Mr. Theo. Cooper, the president of the institute, in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. The report and balance-sheet were read and confirmed, the latter showing a credit balance of £9 lOd, and a. subscribing membership of 40. Tho following officers were elected:— Theo. Cooper, president; Dr. MoArtbui and Mr. Hugh Campbell, vicepresidents; Mr. N. L. H. Hiss, hon. treasurer; Mr. H. G. Newton, hon. sec.; and Messrs. MoVeagh, Wilson Smith, Gregory, Stewart, Tunis, Parr, and Reed, committee. A vote of thanks was given _ to Mr. Wilson Smith for tho manner in which ho had fulfilled the duties of hon. soc. of tho institute since its formation. A vote of thanks was given to tlie Law Society for tho use of tho library for the meetings of the institute. Mr. Theo. Cooper gave an inforesting address on "Tho Study of Law." ,

AUCKLAND TAILORESSES' UNION. . At tho ordinary meeting of tho Auckland i;, Tailorosses' , Union hold lust evening, a leU ter was received from > tho Auckland Master , • Tailors' Association, stating! that the"Master. ,'v Tailors' Union had resblvod \to enter into an ~' agrcomout with tho Tailorosses' Union to as- \: sist the tailorosses in ' bringing a r friendly, suit; , before'tho. Conciliation .Board,"'; whereby all master tailors bind .themselves' to pay tho present tnilorcsses' log now iii uso, at 8d per hour. The secretary and other members of tho Tailors' Society, and four members of the Master Tailors'. Association were present. After a volo'as to whether the masters or tho repiosentatives. from the Tailors' Union, should bo hoard, tho representatives of tho Tailors' Union were nskod to retire, and tho masters invited to address tho meeting. Tho masters wero heard, and a vote of thanks given thorn for the friendly assistance offered. After tho masters retired, it was resolved to hold a special meeting to-night, and that masters bo invited to attend to roviso tho shop log. It appears that the factory log is adopted for two years, but shop girls in ordei shops aro working under another log, which has never been registered. The masters present were representatives from shops not working under the factory log.' Somo 50 or more new members have joined tho Auckland Tailoresscs' Union within the last fortnight, and a petition is being signed to bo presented to tho Conciliation Board in connection with tho Tailors' Union dispute, declaring that tho Tailorosses' Union havo no dispute with (lie masters.

DEVONPORT FIRE BRIGADE CONCERT. A grand concert was given last, evening at the Foresters' 'Hall, Dovonport, by tho members of the Devonport Volunteer Firo Brigade, undei tho patronage of tho Mayor and councillors of Devonport. The attendance was large, and all the items were received with hearty applause. During tho evening tho Mayor (Mr. J. 0. Maoky)' presented tho five-year service medals of tho brigade, tho recipients being Captain Rtrude, Junior Foreman G. Blaudford, and Firemen W. G. Harp, Stewart Cave, mid Ernest James. A threo-yoars' servico certificate was also presented to Fireman Jas. Gsssoto, and Fireman W. J. Wayto was tho recipient of a silver bar in recognition of his comnletion of 23 years' servico as a fireman. On completing a servico of 25 years Fireman Wayto will bo entitled to a gold star medal. In making tho presentation, the Mayor eulogised tho efficiency of tho brigade, and trusted they would all attain tho distinction achieved by Fireman Wayto, and do good service in their cause. Tho concert was interspersed with kinematographio viows relating to tho Boer war, the machino being manipulated by Messrs. Cooper and Macdermott. Tho musical programme was as fol-lows:-Song, "Queen of tho Earth," Mr. W. Ingham; song, "Tho Young Brigade," Mrs. D. Harvoy; song, "Ma Curly-headed Babby," Mrs, Boylan; song, "Romany Lnss," Mr. A. Ford; song, " King's Own,' Miss Gelston; Mr. Doylo gave a fancy clubswinging exhibition, and Mr, Newman danced a hornpipe. A recitation by Mr. It. Potter entitled " Tho Amateur Rider," was well reeeivod, but tho feature of tho programme was a song. "Tho Bubonic Rat, by tho energetic secretary, Mr. W. G. Harp, who creatod much amusement with his topical hits. Mr. Alf. Bnrtloy efficiently played tho accompaniments. |