ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11907, 7 March 1902, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

"OUR NAVY." The splendid entertainment, entitled "Our Navy," was repeated at the Opera. House last night. This evening the performance will be given under the patronage of the commodore and members of the Auckland Yacht Squadron, and somo special yachting pictures will bo added to the programme. A matinee will lx- hold to-morrow afternoon, and promises to bo very largely attended. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. There was another large attendance last night at the City Hall to witness Dix.'s Gaiety Company, which, as at present constituted, forms one of tho strongest combinations that Mr. P. R. Dix has placed before the public. The famous London performers, Mr. Albert At has and Miss Lizzie Collins, by their brilliant work, again succeeded in arousing the greatest enthusiasm. Messrs. Pope and ■Sayles continue to contribute largely to tho entertainment, much to the satisfaction of tho audiences. Mr. Ernest Fitts, tho popular baritone, is in excellent voice, and is nightly the recipient of loud applause. Messrs. Lennon, Hyman, and Lennon, the Sisters Howard, Miss Olive Lenton, Miss May Marlow, the Lennon Brothers, and Miss Ida Clarkson are all specially singled out for praise. WAIHI BRASS BAND CONCERT.

The members of the Waihi Brass Band, who are on their way to New Plymouth to take part in the colonial band contest, which is to be held on Tuesday next, gave a recital last evening in the Federal Hall. Despite the inclement weather there was a, good attendance. Tho band, which is admitted to be ono of the best brass bands in the colony, gave a decided demonstration of their ability last evening, and their tost selections, which were given under the baton of Bandmaster Thomas Mellor. showed that a most careful and searching preparation had been undergone for the coming competitions. The rocital opened with "Gems from Sullivan's op. No. 3" (Henne), by thn full band, and their subdued playing proved to be excellent. Their other items were "Le Filles do Madame Angot" and " L'Ebrei," and were both skilfully treated. The programme was interspersed with vooal and instrumental selections by individual members of tho band, and all were received with hearty applause. Mr. Humphries sang " The Valley by tho Sea" with capital effect, and Mr. H. Northey contributed a cornet solo, "My Old Kentucky Home." Mr. G. Hartmann played a bass solo with variations, and Master S. Mellor acquitted himself creditably with a horn solo, " Wiederker." A quartette, consisting of Messrs. 11. McMahon, J. McCarthy, E. Plowman, and It. Humphries, played a selection from "II Trovatore." and Master S. Mellor gave a concerted selection from " Leg Huguenots." Mr. 11. Reid gave a bass solo " The Village Blacksmith." A feature of the recital was the pianoforte playing of Miss Lizzie Mellor, who is only 14- years of age, and who played the difficult accompaniments in a most skilful manner. H.A.0.8. SOCIETY. At the Hibernian Hall, Wellington-street, on Wednesday evening, the annual meeting of the New Zealand District Branch No. 3, of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society, was held. The chair was occupied by the district president (Brother M. O'Sullivan). Among those also present were: Brothers Stead. D.V.P.. Kane, D.S., and M. J. Sheahan, D.T. The following delegates attended:—Greymouth, A. C. Stead; Charleston, E. Hennelly; Grahamstown, M. Whelan; Dunediu, James Smith. P.D.P.; Auckland, .1. W. Williams, P. and F. Gordon, V.P.; Christchurch, C. Little, P.D.P.; One. hunga, Owen Kielty; Napier, J no. McNamara: Wellington, M. Carmody and W. Bechan, P.D.P.; Blenheim, Win. Brown; New Plymouth, Alfred Buckley: Wjiipawa, F. G. O'Meara; Hastings, T. M. Corbfltt; Leeston, Jno. Patterson, P.D.P.; New Headford, P. 0. Kane; Timaru, P. J. Nerheny, P.D.P.: Masterton. W. G. Smith; Milton, James Gleeson; Oaniaru, H. Dnffin, P.P.: Waimate, 11. W. McConnick; Denniston, .lno. O'Brien; Westport, Raymond Owens. The officers' report, read by Brother Kane, stated that the society had paid funeral claims for the half-year amounting to £190, leaving a net balance of £53 18s lid. The three now branches established aro progressing favourably, while a fourth is about to be established at Gisborno. The balance-sheet showed: Funeral fund. £1763 Us 6d; management fund. £69. The district treasurer moved, "That that portion of the law providing payment for delegates attending district meetings be expunged." Carried. 20 voting for and six against. The executive, in view of the discussion raised, intend to formulate a scheme whereby delegates' expenses to triennial meetings shall be defrayed. A motion by the district secretary, " That the New Zealand district conform to tho new * rules for government of the society carried at the last annual movable meeting, held in Sydney," was carried. Brother P. J. Nerbeny was appointed to represent tho society at the Friendly Societies' Conference. The Dunedin branch, through tho president presented a gold cross to its delegate, P.P. Brother James Smith. The recipient replied in appropriate terms. Accounts amounting to £30 were passed for payment. Officebearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows:—District president. Brother J. B Stead; district vice-president, Brother W Bechan; district secretary. Brother W Kane; district treasurer, 'Brother M J* Sbeahan; auditors. Brothers P. O'Kane and H. J. OMeara. The newly-elected officers were installed by P.D.P. Brother P. J Nerheny. The names of district past presidents Brothers D. O'Sullivan and D. Flynn were ordered to no placed on the merit board.