ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11879, 3 February 1902, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE HAWTREY COMEDY COMPANY.

" TOM,- DICK, AND HARRY." Saturday night's audience at"; the >; Opera House paid to the Hawtrey Comedy Company's representation of " Tom, Dick, and Harry," the compliment of almost continuous laughter, Mrs. Pacheco's roaring farce proving seemingly irresistible as a mirth-provoker, despite , its broad absurdity. The piece is frankly frivolous, a travesty on the natural order of things, and the outcome of a freereined jocular frame of mind on the part of the authoress, which those equally jocularly inclined will laugh at in sheer good nature. Certainly those who did not laugh were in the minority on Saturday night- when, as the piece bounded along upon its boisterous career, the . performers frequently were inaudible over the uproarious mirth which broke from those in front. Space forbids a more extended notice of the performance, but suffice it to say it: was noticeable for good interpretations by Messrs. Hawtrey, Ross, and the other members of the company. The curtain-raiser, "A Highland Legacy," was also well played. The same pieces will be repeated to-night, when the company's season closes.

DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. This popular entertainment at the N City Hall attracted a crowded house on Saturday evening, when a change of bill was provided. Tho first item was an _ acrobatic song and dance by the Coleman Sisters, and was effectively given. Mr. Wallace King, the popular tenor, made his reappearance, and sang "There is a Flower That Bloometh " with good effect. Madame Dante's illusionary dance creations held the intense interest of the audience, and this artist was warmly applauded. The inimitable sketch artistes "Sivroni and Selvini, have _ now firmly installed themselves as favourites, and created much merriment. Miss Ida Clarkson contributed some pleasing Scotch ballads, and Miss Olive Lenton earned great applause in her serio-comic and dance turn, her songs, " The Midnight Sun" and " Ann Eliza,'" being recalled. Mr. Dan Lemon provided fresh attractions with his performing dogs, and they gave a wonderful display of canine intelligence. The performance concluded with an amusing farce by Messrs. Pope and Sayles, the coloured comedians, entitled "The Artist's Studio."

AUCKLAND DISCUSSION SOCIETY. An animated discussion took place last night at the above society's meeting upon the question " Have We Democratic Government?" The opener pointed out that we sent men to Parliament to legislate for us, and that we were never consulted as to how wo should be governed. There was too much power vested in Parliament and too littlo vested in local bodies. Next Sunday the question of representation and taxation will be dealt with. ST. MATTHEW'S SUNDAY-SCHOOL PICNIC. Some 300 scholars belonging to the Sundayschool connected with St. Matthew's Church, Hobson-street, assembled in the Auckland Domain on Saturday and there held their 1 annual picnic. Excellent sport and many racing competitions, etc., were provided for the youngsters by the superintendent (Mr. H. Peake) and the teacehins; staff. The vicar of . the church (the Rev. W. E. Gillam) and tho newly-appointed curate (Mr. Arthur Sowler) were also present, and did all that was possible to create the children's happiness. TIIEOSOPHY. • Miss A. E. Davidson lectured last night in the Theosophical Society's Hall to a crowded audience on " Heaven and Hell." Miss Davidson spoke of the prevailing beliefs as to heaven and hell, saying that with orthodox people the belief was that the presence of God would constitute their heaven, taking no account of the fact that they were not yet evolved to tho point of being able to endure, much less enjoy, contact with such sublime, intense purity as that Presence would imply. As it was an obvious fact that one man's heaven must bo another's hell, it followed, she said, that these states must be individual and the outcome of the thoughts and desires of each. Discussion followed. Before the lecture Mr. J. Ferriday gave a beautiful and expressive rendering of Mendelssohn's "If With All Your Hearts."