ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11546, 4 December 1900, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

' POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.. Of' all the musical comedies produced within recent years, none seem to bo more appreciated by theatregoers than the ever-popular " In Town." A better selection for the farewell night of Mr. Pollard's clever company could not possibly have been made. Tho Opera House, long before the rising of the curtain, was crowded in all parts, and many, patrons had to leave disappointed at being unable to find a seat. Pollard's Company have always proved very successful in the burlesque operas of this description, and last night's performance was no exception to the rule. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon each actor and actress who took part in the performance. Miss Maud Beatty had an exceptional welcome as Lord Clanside, a part which suited in every way this popular actress. As Kitty Hetherton, Miss May Beatty acted up to her usual standard, wrote as Captain Ccddington Mr. W. S. Percy kr-pt the audience in the best of humour. Mr. Alfred Stephens made an admirable Duke of Muffington. Mr. H. Qtiealy, as the Rev. Samuel Hipkins, was as clever as ever, while the part of the demon callboy Shrimp was in the capable hands of Master C. Albert. At the conclusion of the performance Mr. Pollard .came on the stage, arid in a short speech thanked the public of New Zealand for the patronage which they had extended to the company for the past nine years. He stated that the company was now proceeding to Australia, where they were to appear in the Christmas pantomimes under Mr. "Williamson, but he had made arrangements for their return to New Zealand 12 months hence, when he hoped to introduce many now pieces, while still retaining the old. faces. The. company then sang " Auld Lang Syne," which the audience joined in,- and cheer after cheer was given from stage to "house," the scene being one that will long linger in the memories of those who were present. At a later hour tho company embarked on the Taluno on their way to Sydney. ■, > ■ ■;•;.- :: . ■ •',';. '-' GAIETY COMPANY. The capital programme submitted at *he City Hall on Saturday evening was repeated last night before a good house. Mr. Frank Clark, Miss Ida Scott. Miss Ida Roslyn, the Wingate Sisters, the Faust Trio, the Linwood Sisters, and the other clever artists now showing at this popular place of amusemeni wero all warmly received. . Mr. J. C. Bam re-appears next Saturday. FULLERS' BIJOU COMPANY. There was another very satisfactory house at the Agricultural Hall last night, when the last change of programme was repeated. Sivroni, the eccentric comedian and dancer, was once more a great hit, and Miss Silveni, the charming serio-comic, was equally successful. The other members of tho company assisted in a well-selected programme. "THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME." The lecture hall of the Y.M.C.A. was well filled last evening, when the Rev. E. Tremayne Dunstan, at present furnishing (be ministerial supply at tho Beresford-street Congregational Church, gave the second of a series of lectures, entitled, "Tho Old.Folks at Home," the proceeds being devoted to the church funds. Mr. Dunstan hold the attention of his audience throughout, and proved himself to bo a. fluent and impressive speaker. Numerous word pictures of Cornish life and customs were vividly portrayed, and the ii cture throughout was bright and entertaining, being interspersed with several vocal items. The part songs by the Beresford-street Church choir wore pleasingly given, as was also Mr. Sidney Cousins' song, "The Dear Homeland." Miss Mary Laang was very successful with her song, "The Three Fishers,"' and Mr. W. Astley contributed "The Village Blacksmith" in good voice. Miss J. Smith was also well received with her solo, " Darby and Joan." AUCKLAND MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of tho Auckland Ministers' Association took place yesterday afternoon, at the manse of the Devonport Presbyterian Church (the Rev. R. Ferguson's). There were /present: Tho Rev. Hugh Kelly, M.A. (president of the association), the Rev. R. Ferguson, T. F. Robertson, Wm. Cray Dixon, M.A., R. F. Macnicol, Joseph Clark, A. H. Collins, A. H. Williams, S. Wetherall, W. J. Williams, W. Ready, Adjutant Williams (of the Salvation Army Prison Gate Brigade), and Mr. W. Brakenrig (general secretary of the Y.M.C.A.). Various .matters were dealt ' with. It was resolved that the president and officers of tho association be elected annually. A letter of condolence and sympathy with the widow of the late Rev. E. Best was passed. He had been a member of the association for many years, and had recently been at one of the monthly meetings. Several of tho ministers spoke in terms of warm appreciation of the character of the deoeased minister. A letter was read by tho Rev. T. F. Robertson, which had been received by him from the Bishop of Wellington, ro the Bible in schools question, containing various proposals. After discussion, it was resolved that a committee consisting of tho Revs. J. Clark, W. Gray Dixon, M.A., W. J. Williams, W. S. Potter, W. Ready, and T. F. Robertson, be appointed to obtain information, and report at a future meeting. The Rev. T. F. Robertson was appointed convener. The president brought forward a proposal from the country districts, to havo evangelistic services at some time to bo arranged for. Tho question was left over till next meeting. The Rev. T. F. Robertson, in a short address, introduced Mr. W. M. Oatts to the moeting. He had known him intimately, and also Mrs. Oatts, when he was a student and a member of Dr. Andrew Sonar's church. Mr. W. M. Oatts was heartily received. He gave an earnest and able address, in which he referred to the work being carried on in Glasgow, and to the great evangelistic conference and mission held in that city last year, and the results which followed therefrom. He also gave an account of the way he had been led to accept the invitation of the National Council of Y.M.C.A.'s, and to give 18 months to visiting India, Bnrmah, Ceylon, Australia, and New Zealand. He graphically described some of his experiences in India, Burmah, and the colonies. He was in full sympathy with the churches, and desired to help them. Mrs. Oatts, by request, gave a deeply interesting account of how she accompanied her husband, working on behalf of the Y.W.C.A.'s in India, and in these colonies. She would do all she could to help~lhese institutions. A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Oatts for their addresses, welcoming them to Auckland, and pledging those present to do all in their power to further their mission in Auckland, and throughout New Zealand. A special committee was appointed, consisting of the Revs. W. J. Williams, Joseph Clark, W. S. Potter, Hugh Kelly, G. B. Monro, Captain Burton (Salvation Army), and Mr. W. Brakenrig (convener), in connection therewith. The meeting then adjourned to another room, where a bountiful tea was partaken of. Mrs. Oatts. sang a sacred solo (playing her own organ accompaniment), "I am far from My Ain Countrie." A heartv vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson for their kindly hospitality and the pleasant afternoon spent at their manse. The Ministers' Association now goes into recess till April. •-