ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11536, 22 November 1900, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

•'■ THE POLLARD SEASON. j " Mamtasa," with Miss May Beatty in the title role, drew another good audience at the Opera House last evening. The reception accorded the principals was most flattering, and as at previous performances, all the favourite airs, with which the opera abounds, were encored. That the public will still patroniso high-class opera has been amply proved by the crowded houses that have witnessed " Maritana" during the last five nights. Notwithstanding the enormous success achieved, this charming work will be staged for the last time to-night. To-morrow night "Paul Jones" will be revived, with Miss Maud Beatty in the name part. This young lady is so popular with playgoers that she is certain to be greeted with the hearty welcome generally extended to an old favourite. Miss May Beatty takes the part of Yvonne, a character always associated with Mis 3 Lily Stevens in the past. On Saturday night "La Poupee" will be staged. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. The City Hall, as is usually the case on Wednesday evenings, was largely patronised : last night. The constant changes provided by Mr. Dix seem to be greatly appreciated. Since the preceding Wednesday night no fewer than six new artistes have arrived, Mr. F. M. Clark, the Lingard Sisters, the Wingate Sisters, and Mr. Conney Moreny. Mr. Frank M. Clark again delighted the audience. Miss Ivy Scott, a pleasing young serio, ha 3 also installed herself a great favourite with City Hall audiences. The Wingate Sisters, whose act is unfortunately the last item of the programme, were cheered for their daring and graceful work on the "trapeze. Miss Ida 1 Rosslyn and the many other performers presented an entertainment which never flagged. A new first-act is announced for Saturday evening. FULLER'S BIJOU COMPANY. Despite many counter attractions the entertainment provided by Mr. Fuller's popular Bijou Company at the Agricultural Hall, still obtains a very large share of the public patronage. The splendid character acting of ; Mr. Charles Faning and Miss Georgie Devoe i prove as entertaining as ever, the audience ! feeling that at the conclusion of each of their items they require to be heard again. Mies Amy Blackie and Mr. Wal. Cottier, who made their first appearances on Saturday last, have already installed themselves as prime favourites. Mr. Ted Herberte, Miss Myra James, and the other members of the company provide an entertainment which has not yet been eclipsed at this popular house of amusement. On Saturday night the two groat sketch artists, Sivroni and Silveni, will make their first appearance in Auckland. PARNELL PUBLIC SCHOOL CONCERT. The concert programme so successfully given on Tuesday evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, Parnell, in aid of the Parnell District school piano fund, was repeated last evening, in the presence of another satisfactory audience. The cantata, " Red Riding Hood," was performed even better than on the initial performance, Miss Pearl Petford, in the name . part, acquitting herself most creditably. Dumb-bell exercises and negro choruses were pleasingly given by the pupils, and selections on the gramophone by Mr. Woodward. Mr. W. Skerrett gave a comic speciality, " What Did I Do," and Mr. G. Brown a recitation, "How the Cricket Came t£,Killaloo." Miss Sybil Lewis was highly appreciated for her violin solo, " Meditation" (Gounod), _ and others who were successful with vocal items were Miss Whitaker and Miss Gilmour, and Mr. Briggs. During the evening Mr. Scott (headmaster of the school) presented the caps 1 given by Mrs. Thomas (wife of the chairman of the School Committee) to Masters J. Mar- ! tin (flag captain) and J. Beale (fla<r lieutenant) of the school. Mr. N. W. Pollard introduced the subject, and the duty of the recipients towards the flag was explained ,the audience, at the conclusion of the ceremony, singing the National Anthem. Great praise is duo to the teachers and Mr. F. W. Knight in organising a most successful concert.

SALE OF WORK. The annual sale of work of St. John's Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby, was opened yesterday, in the Ponsonby Hall. At half-past two o'clock the Rev. W. Ready, who conducted the proceedings, gave out the Doxclogy, after which ho read a portion of Scripture, and offered prayer. He then called upon Mr. A. Caughey to open the sale of work. He was one of the principal officers of the Pitt-street circuit, and took an interest in the welfare and prosperity of the Ponsonby church. Mr. Caughey, on coming forward, was warmly received. He stated that the promoters of the salo of work had honoured him by asking him to formally declare it open to the public. He was asked that day to act as one of the judges of the Prince Albert College sports, but ho replied: " No, that if he was free, ho was booked for Ponsonby." He was pleased to be associated with earnest, conscientious people, who were striving hard to free the house of God from the incubus of debt. For many years past the work in connection with the Ponsonby Wesleyan Church had been hindered by a crushing load of debt. That debt was gradually being reduced, and as the result of tnat effort, and the effort in connection with century commemoration fund, he hoped that the neck of the debt would be broken, and that the members and officials, of the church would begin the new century free, to give their undivided attention to the legitimate work of the Church,' which, he took it, was to bless, help, and uplift the people. He was pleased also to be present, as ho liked to be associated a«id connected with ah energetic, go-ahead, and up-to-date people, and tho stalls and their contents showed that. (Cheers.) The stalls were beautifully decorated, as also was the hall, with flags of all nations. The plain-work stall was presided over by Mesdames Wheeler, Best, Bellamey, and Bakewill; fancy work stall, by Mesdames Ready and Blomfield, assisted by Misses Hall Cook, A. Hall, and Crisp; pinafore and apron stall, by Mesdames Hartley, Main, Ewen, Heron, and Dimmock; toy stall, by Mesdames Hanneken and Braithwaite, assisted by Miss Hanneken; flower stall, by Misses Blomfield, Wheeler, Wilson, and Oldham, assisted by Messrs. Horsley and W. Scott; refreshment stall, Miss M. Scott, assisted by Misses Bain, Kemp, Tonkin, Morris, Gittos, and Mrs. R. A. Scott. v In addition, there are the usual side shows. A good business was done yesterday by the ladies. The hall in the evening was crowded to excess, and the takings were £52. One of the attractions was tho running of the Ponsonby Gazette. Tho sale of work reopens to-day, in the afternoon free, and in the evening there will be fresh attractions; a Japanese fan song by children in fancy costume; "Caller Herrin'," in character; and orchestral selections.