ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11576, 14 February 1901, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE BRITISH BIOGRAPH.

The Ope/a House was well filled last night, the British Biograph Company's repetition of the excellent and interesting programme of the previous evening meeting with hearty approbation. To-night provision has been made for the seating of the Indian troops, and the officers of the garrison, who will be present in uniform. A carefully-selected series of appropriate films will be shown. The season terminates on Saturday night next.

DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. The City Hall presented a very attractive appearance last night, on the occasion of the special programme given by Mr. Dix s Gaiety Company, in honour of the Indian troops who were present by invitation. The hall, which w?S packed to the doors, was appropriately decorated with flags. The troops were greeted with loud applause as they took their seats in the circle. An excellent programme was submitted, encores being the order of the evening. The everpopular Leslie Brothers received a great ovation on their reappearance, and proved to, be quite as amusing as on their former visit. Their musical act was a clever piece of work, and their comio business created intense merriment. Mr. John Coleman, who gains Jresh laurels nightly, introduced two new songs, for which he was heartily applauded, whilst his clever scarecrow dance brought, down the house. Tho Patterson Brothers made a great hit in their horizontalbar ac., and the remaining members of the company did their full share towards maintaining the interest of the performance. Hie Indian troops evinced keen appreciation during the evening, and, apparently, enjoyed to the full Mr. Dix's hospitality. The last three nights of the Patterson Bros, and Eileen Boyd are announced, and on Monday next the Tylers, acrobats and tumblers, Will appear. '"?

FULLER'S BIJOU COMPANY. The Agricultural Hall was well-patronised last night, when Fuller's Bijou Company presented several strong attractions. The programme was duly appreciated, all the artistes gaining a large measure of applause. The same programme will bo presented tonight. To-morrow night tho Indian troops will be present, and several additions will be made to the programme, including a new patriotic song, written by Messrs. rTred Bluett and Walter Fuller, entitled " Sons of the Motherland," to be sung by Miss Lena Young. The other artistes will also, contribute appropriate items. THE COMING MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. At the Wesley Hall last evening, a number of delegates, representing -several labour organisations, and the Auckland Liberal Association, met to consider what steps should be taken towards combining for" the purpose of taking united action in connection with the next election of members to the Auckland City Council, which is to be held in April. Mr. Arthur Rosser was appointed chairman pro tern. It. was stated that all the labour organisa''ms had not received invitations to send delegates to the conference. Mr. Rosser, as convener of the meeting, explained that it was an unintentional oversight, and pointed out that it was not an easy matter to get a complete list cf the unions. The meeting decided that the secretary pro tern. (Mr. Stevenson) should send an invitation to every union in Auckland, asking that delegates be appointed to the next meeting, which takes place on Wednesday next, at the Wesley Hall. Several 'of those present spoke on the question of the coming election, and expressed the opinion that there was ample room lor improvement in the management of mum cipal affairs. After some further discussion, the meeting adjourned for one week.

UNITED CHRISTIAN CONVENTION. A united Christian Convention, conducted by tho Rev. D. O'Donnell, of Australia, who is very well known in Auckland, was opened at the Pitt-street Weslcyan Church yesterday. In the morning there- was a gathering of ministers and office-bearers in the church parlour, an address being given by the Lev. D O'Donnell. In the afternoon a service was held in the church, and addresses were ff iven by the Revs. D. O'Donnell and 0.0. Harrison. At this gathering the Rev. W. J Williams introduced Mr. Francis Murphy, of America, the founder of the Gospel temperance movement. Mr. Murphy gave some details in connection with his visit to the colony. Another service took place in the church in the evening, when the speakers were the Rev. D. O'Donnell and the Rev. W J Williams. The subject for the convention, which is to extend till Friday, is "The Bnntism of the Holy Ghost. Yes terdav " The Promise of its Fulfilment was treated. At each service there was a good attendance, and the proceedings were ot a most interesting character.

MANGERE DOMAIN BOARD. The annual meeting of the Mangcre Domain Board was held at the Public Hall, Manure, on the 11th inst. Members present f Messrs. R. Wallace, J. E. Taylor, and James Robertson (chairman). Mr. Kirkbride wrote that he was unable to he present owing to pressure of harvest work. Mr. Robertson was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. Tho annual accounts, as read by the secretary (Mr. E. Hale), were adopted, subject to the approval of the Government auditor. The following was the balance-sheet:— Balance in hand, December 31, 1900, £39 19s; grazing license fees, £82 16s 3d; water licenses, £6 15s; interest Auckland Savings Bank, £1 0s 4d: total, £130 10s 7d. Expenditure : Labour, £10 17s 6d: purchase of trees £3 5s 6d; salaries, bank charges, water rates, and office expenses, £32 19s lid; cash in Savings Bank, £55 12s 3d; in National Bank, £27 15s 5d : total, £130 10s 4d. Assets : Cash in banks, £83 7s Bd. Liabilities Sundry small accounts, £15 15s. It was resolved to further arrange with Mr. McQuay to cart all the surface stones off within a reasonable distance of the Domain gate. It was also decided to place a number of seats on the summit of tho mountain, and during the next planting sea-son to plant several small clumps of trees in various parts ot the Domain, the sites to bo determined by the Works Committee. A number of accounts were passed for payment.—[Own Correspondent.] INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES. The half-yearly meeting of the Now Zealand District, No. 84, 1.0. R., was held in Parkinson's rooms on Tuesday evening. Bro. John Stallworthy, D.0.R., presided!. Representatives were present from the Auckland, Newmarket, Northcoto, Thames, Waihi, Onehunga, and Aratapu Tents. After the roll call the following motions were passed, previous to the taking up of ordinary busi-ness-—"That the Council of New Zealand District, No. 84, 1.0. R., desires to place on record its sorrow at the death of the late, and beloved Queen Victoria, and to express its hearty appreciation of her noble lifo and character ; and, whilst sympathising with the Royal Family in the loss of their great and good mother, would assure His Majesty King Edward VII. of the loyalty and devotion of the members of the Independent Order of Rechabites in North New Zealand." A copy of the resolution is to bo forwarded to tho Governor. It was also resolved to enter the following " In Me-moriam" notice in the official records of the Council: "Brother George Kent, who died at Newmarket on November 13, 1900,' was initiated into the Rechabite Order on December 13, 1875. During his membership he passed through the highest offices in both tent and district, and by his faithfulness to duty earned the esteem and goodwill of his brethren. Tho balancesheet and auditor's reports were of a very satisfactory character. Tho funds are rapidly increasing, and are kept fully and safely invested. They now average over £24 per member. The membership of the district is now 457 adult male-; and over 200 juveniles. A lctte#from the Victorian district, suggesting the holding of a conference in Melbourne, about the time of the opening of tho Commonwealth Parliament, for tho "purpose of considering the advisability of forming a High Co«rt of the Order for Australasia, was considered. It was resolved not to send a representative to the first meeting, but to keep in touch with tho movement and watch its developments. Tho consolidation of the sick fund's scheme, adopted by tho district in August last, is being got into working order, and excellent results are anticipated. Reports on the juvenile tents showed increasing funds all round, healthy enthusiasm in Auckland, but quietness in other parts. The report of the D.D.R.'s visit to Waihi was received, and Brother Seymour bore testimony to the good results. The district officers were recommended to arrange an official visit, to the Whangaroa tent. Several technical alterations were made in the general laws of the district to fit them in with the consolidation scheme, etc. The executive were instructed to procure quotations for the printing of the laws, both juvenile and adult. OTAHUHU PUBLIC LIBRARY. The annual meeting of the subscribers to the Otahuhu Public Library was held in tho library on Monday evening, February .11. Mr. T. Wilson was elected chairman of the meeting. In the annual report, read by the chairman, reference was made to the fact that it is 21 years since the library was in-

j corporated under the Public Libraries Act, j and that some of the signatories of the incorj poration deed are still actively connected | with the institution. At the date of inj corporation.the library consisted of 435 books, now there are 1052 upon the catalogue, of i which number 102 have been added during | the year. Last June a considerable exten- ; sion of the library was made by taking down I a partition and adding another room, and re- | shelving the whole uniformly. The work I was most satisfactorily carried out by Mr. j Farnsworth, under the superintendence of j Mr. Wilson, the chairman. The books have ! been newly classified, re-numb'ere3, and catalogued. The library has been refurnished with comfortable chairs and tables and new lamps. The balance-sheet, duly audited, showed that the receipts for the year amounted to £30 3s lid, and the expenditure to £27 19s 4d, leaving a credit balance of £2 4s 7d. Messrs. ft. Couch, J. Bakes, S. Luke, T. Wilson, F. Lippiatt, W. Matthews, C. B. Whitmore, Dr. Rowley, and Canon Gould were elected members of committee ; Mr. T. Wilson, chairman; Mr. G. E. Whitmore, librarian, secretary and treasurer; and Messrs. A. Sturges and W. Bond, auditors. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. T. Wilson for his indefatigable work in connection with the library; to Mr. Arthur Gray for the gift, through Mr. William Coleman, of valuable books belonging to his brother, the late Mr. Braidwood Gray; to the auditors, to the librarian, to the proprietors of the New Zealand Herald for gratuitously sending to the library daily copies of the Herald, and to the donors ot the new chairs.