ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE POLLARD SEASON. The Pollard Opera Company brought their season to a close at the Opera House last night. There was a packed house to bin them farewell, and " The Belle of New York,"' which was the attraction of the evening, was most warmly received throughout. The principals were all the recipients of ovations, the audience recalling them again and again at every opportunity. At the close of the performance there were loud cries for Mr. W. S. Percy, th« "ovular leading comedian of the company. On his appearance before tho curtain Mr. Percy was applauded to the echo, this being the Auckland public's way of offering him their congratulations upon his approaching marriage to Miss Jessie Ramsay, another member of the company. Mr. Percy was visibly moved by the demonstration accorded to him, and only with apparent difficulty found words to express thanks on behalf of his future wife and himself. His little speech was followed by three hearty cheers for himself and three more for his prospective bride, given with entire unanimity by the audience. The Pollards leave by the Elingamite for Gisborne to-day, where they play a short season prior to opening in Dunedin. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. Miss Beryl Gillman made her appearance last night at tho City Hall, and by her sweet and sympathetic singing succeeded in arousing much hearty applause. Mr. James Harvey and Miss Madge ■ Morris, who made their appearance on Saturday evening, were again enthusiastically received last evening. Mr. Harvey gives some capital imitations of wellknown actors. His Risley act is really clever, as well as humorous. Mimic, acrobat, juggler, singer, and dancer, Mr. Harvey may be said to bo a man of many parts. Mr. Ernest Pitts, tho popular baritone, is always sure of a hearty welcome. Mr. Fred. Rivenhall, Miss Molly Bcntley, Miss Olive Lemon, Miss Pearl Lovell, and Miss Devoreux are all special favourites, and are always; rewarded with unstinted applause. Special praise must be accorded to Mr. Frank Clark, who, whether with Mr. Cowan or in the finales and farces, always succeeds in rousing the heartiest laughter. Tho present farce-coined)', " School," as presented by this versatile comedian, is now in its third week, and is causing more amusement than ever. UNITARIAN CHURCH. Another of the series of discourses on "Evolution and the Bible," was given on Sunday evening last by the Rev. W. Jellie, 8.A., the subject being " Floods and Geology," and the congregation a crowded one. After stating that in Genesis we have two versions of tho Flood, and their chief differences, he touched upon the attempts at reconcilement of tho Biblical account with science. The question of the inspiration of the Genesis stories was also discussed. Mr. Jellie stated that owing to modern science and criticism orthodox minds had been driven to Christo-ccntrio theology, but that these agencies were at work even on the Gospels. After pointing out that the mischievous division between science and religion must be done away with, he urged that inspiration was inherent in our human faculties, and that God inspired them.