ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11537, 23 November 1900, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY. The cordial reception by tho Auckland publio of Wallace's beautiful opera, "Maritana," as played by the Pollards, was again evidenced last night, when a very large audience witnessed its final evening performance during the present season. From first to last the piece ran with its accustomed smoothness, Miss Roea Stevens again displaying admirable talent in the title role. " Maritana" will bo produced at a matinee performance to-mor-row. To-night, the reappearance of Miss Maud Beatty as "Paul Jones" (a part which she has made her own), in the melodious opera of thai name, will take place. Miss May Beatty is cast for Yvonne. The other principal parts will bo played by the same members of the company as on its previous production here. To-morrow night " La Poupee" will staged, and on Monday "The Bohemian Girl." DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. At the City Hall last night a large audience assembled, and full justice in the way of appreciation was done to the efforts of the performers. Tho programme was adjudged to be a really excellent one by all present, Mießes Ivy Scott and Ida Roslyn, the Wingatc and the Linwood Sisters, Messrs. Frank M. Clark, McKisson, and Keams, and others, coming in for well-deserved approbation. The same programme will be repeated to-night, and for to-morrow night an attractive change of bill has been arranged. On this occasion a new first-part will be presented, entitled "Our American Cousins." This will be a view of New York Harbour, and the scenery has been especially painted, with a view to effect and reality. Tho Statue of Liberty will be seen, and the whole effect will be heightened by the introduction of light tones, indicating first a moonlight night, and eventually a sunny morning. A new farcical sketch, entitled "Casey, the Fiddler." will be produced, under the direction of Mr. Frank Clark, its author, in which ten members of the company will appear in appropriate characters. New artistes are announced for Monday next. ' .

FULLER'S BIJOU COMPANY. The sterling quality of the programme presented by the members of Fuller's Bijou Company at the Agricultural Hall drew another large attendance at that popular place of amusement last night. The singing of Miss Amy Blackie once more resulted in great enthusiasm, her fine contralto voice being heard to much advantage in several numbers. Miss Myra James, Mr. Wal. Cottier, Master Freddy, Miss Georgie Dcvoe. and Mr. Charles Faning, all gave particularly good performances in their varied lines, the whole result being both effective and interesting, from the spectators' point of view. To-morrow night there will be an entire change of programme, and several new artistes will shortly appear, including Silvoni and Silveni, sketch artists, the latter of whom will introduce a clever india-rubber dance. ST. MARY'S PARISH FAIR. The fair held under the auspices of the Women's Guild of St. Mary's Parish Church, Parnell, was opened in the Parish Hall yesterday afternoon, in tho presence of a largo number of visitors. His Lordship the Primate performed tho opening ceremony, and in a few brief remarks congratulated the ladies upon the good taste displayed in the decoration of the hall, and on the excellent array of tho many beautiful and useful articles on the various stalls. He pointed out how much bettor work could be done when once a church was out of debt. Ho hoped the fair would bo a great success. The " White Fair," as the bazaar is called, is most appropriately named. From one end of the hall to the other tho ground work is white, tho stalls being under large white canopies of various shapes, tastefully decorated with flowers of all descriptions. The stage is similarly decorated. Here again the ground work is white, while flowers and overgreenß help to make the scene extremely beautiful. Stretching from side to side is a magnificent arch of lycopodium and other leaves. Chinese lanterns, hung from the roof, give the fair a most picturesque appearance. Too great praise cannot bo bestowed upon the energetic secretary, Miss Mowbray, and her assistants, Mrs. Dewos, and tho Misses Kissling (5) and Lodge, for their excellent decorative work. Tho plain needlework stall, where many useful articles are tastefully displayed and sold, 13 und<? the superTision of Mesdames Ashwell, Kcnderdine, Sealcy, Frator, Ellis, and Laird. Next is tho produce stall, ably looked after by Mesdames Gilfillan, Biss, Ward, and Colcgrove, while a lib table in connection with the'stall is under the custodianship of Mesdames Baker and Sawkins. Tho third stall is the London - fancy work stall, which is presided over by Mesdames Stafford, Walker, and Hawke, and the Misses Home and C. Home. The flower stall is tastofully set off by the many choice flowers, and is looked after by the Misses Kempthorno, G. Kempthorne, M. Hay, and H. Dewes. A very pretty little stall, is the chip carving stall, under tho charge of Mesdames G. Morris and A. Munro, and the Misses A. Hull, N. Kissling, and E. Kissling. The Is table, or bric-a-brac, stall, is well looked after by tho Misses M. Kissling, Brook-Smith, and Hewson. -- At the lollie stall Misses E. Abbott, M. Abbott, and M. Basley did a large trade. Many choice articles are displayed on the china stall, whore brisk business was done by Mesdames A. V. Macdonald, Gillies, H. Campbell, and Dufaur. Another fancy work stall, where Liberty cushions provide a great source of attraction, is supervised by Mesdames T. Kissling and F. Ireland; and the toy stall has as its caretakers Mesdames Duthio, J. L. R. Bloomfiold, and Tewsley. Tho last, but not the least, of all the stalls is that where refreshments are purveyed, tho stallholders being Mesdames Bloomfield, Shrewsbury, Cuff, and D'Arey, assisted by the Misses Fenton, Ireland (2), Salmon, Fordyco, Cozens, Jikles (2), Laird (2), Baker (2), Cooper, Dawson, Newton, and others. There are a number of interesting side amusements, including a shooting gallery, a fish pond, beautifully surrounded by walls of yellow and white marguerites, and looked after by the Misses E. Atkinson, A. Harrop, Kcnderdine, Palmer, and Yonge, and a cooking competition, conducted by the Mesdames Lodge and Brook-Smith. There is the usual name-guessing competition for the bridal doll, which has been dressed and donated by Mrs. Page. The competition is under the charge of the Misses Whilson and •T. Frator. There arc also a number of dolls' houses, which have been presented to the fair by Messrs. Gay, Cameron, and Sawkins. During tho afternoon an excellent musical entertainment was given by Mesdames Walker and Sealey, and the Misses Gay and L. Kissling, while in the evening, when the Gorman Band was in attendance, vocal items were rendered by Messrs. Briggs, Fleming, and others, and piano solos by Mrs. Sealoy and others. A feature of the evening's entertainment were tho two tableaux, '"The Hymn of tho Moravian Nuns" and "The Four Jolly Smiths," both of which were excellently staged. Tho fair will be reopened this afternoon at three o'clock. During the afternoon the Maypole dance will bo performed by a largo number of children, while among the items of a lengthy evening's programme will bo found the tableaux, " Tho Fair Plaintiff and the Counsel" and "The Druid's Sacrifice." The boys of St. Stephen's school will bo present, and for tho first timo in public will go through their " musical drill."

NEWTON SCHOOLS COMMITTEE. The members of the Newton Schools Committee held their regular monthly meeting in the Newton East school on Wednesday evening - . Present: Messrs. J. Rosser (chairman), J. M. White, J. D. Gow, G. J. Garland, T. W. Freeman, J. Peak, F. Crespen, and R. James. The headmaster of the Newton East school, Mr. D. D. Metge, reported that the number on the school roll for las!; month was 677, with an average attendance of 607.9. The following members of the committee, Messrs. J. Rosser (chairman), J. M. White, G. J. Garland, and F. Crespen, had paid visits to the school during the month. A heavy brass tablet, well finished and carefully engravedan excellent piece of workmanshipwas left on the table for the committee's inspection. This has been provided by the toachers and scholars, as a mark of respect for the late headmaster, and it is to be placed in the entrance hall of the Newton East school. It is engraved as follows:—"In loving remembrance of the Rev. R. Coates, 8.A., the esteemed headmaster of the school. From April, 1884, till August, 1900." Mr. Webber, headmaster of the Newton West school stated in his report that the roll number of tho school is 600, and the attendance 530. The teaching staff has suffered very much by the changes that have taken place during tho year by the removals of pupil-teachers, and the promotions of Mr. W. J. Gatenby, and Mr. A. J. Shepherd, to the charge of schools. Mr. Albert S. Cliffe, first-year pupil-teacher, is attached to the school in the place of Mr. A. J. Shepherd. The committee decided that to-day should be a holiday for the schools, on account of the flower show. AUCKLAND CYCLE ROADS LEAGUE. A meeting of the Council of the League was held last night at the Sports Club. Messrs. Jackson Palmer, M.H.R., and E. Reynolds were elected members of the Council. A letter from tho town clerk, acknowledging receipt of the league's communica-

tion re state of Auckland roads, and stating that the whole matter had been referred to the Streets Committee to report on, was received. Messrs. P. A. Vaile, E. Reynolds, and A. A. Davies were . appointed a roads sub-committee. The secretary was instructed to write to the Domain Board re the laying down of a cycle path through the Domain. It was decided that the roads sub-commit-tee should inspect and report on the condition of the Devonport highways. A large number of new members were elected. It was decided to appoint a special night to fully consider the Cycle Boards 811, and to endeavour to obtain the attendance of as many of the Auckland members of the Houso of Representatives as possible. Very general satisfaction was expressed at the' prompt action of the City Council in attending to the league's representations as to the condition of the Auckland roads. It was stated that various members of the Legislature, including the Hon. W. Jennings, Mesrs. Napier, Fowlds,, and Palmer, had been interviewed with regard to the Cycle Boards Bill, that there was a general concensus of opinion in both Houses that the Bill was an np-to-date comprehensive measure, and was almost certain to become law, next session, and that as stated by Mr. Fowlds in his address, the late hour at which it was sent down was practically the cause of it not becoming law last session. LECTURE BY THE REV. G. B. MONRO. At the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle last evening the Rev. G. B. Monro delivered his popular lecture on his recent visit to Rome to a satisfactory attendance, the object being to raise funds towards paying off the church debenture debt. The lecture was illustrated by beautiful limelight views secured by the lecturer during his trip, the manipulation of the limelight being in the hands of Mr. H. C. Haselden. Views of the Vatican and its surroundings, St. Peter's Church, and many other churches and places of interest in and about Rome were thrown on the screen, and their history fully explained. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to Mr. Monro. SALE OF WORK AT PONSONBY. The sale of work, held under the auspices of the ladies of St. John's Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby, was continued yesterday, and very good business was done. During the evening Miss Anderson- gave (by request) a club display: the " Japanese Fan Song" was sung by a large number of children in fancy costume; Miss Lemmon sang "Ma Bobby." Mr. P. Hannken, assisted by several frionds, contributed orchestral selections.