ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 6

ENTERTAINMENTS AND MEETINGS.

THE ANDERSON DRAMATIC COMPANT. The William Anderson Dramatic Company produced "The London Arab" at the Opera House before a large and appreciative au-; dience last evening. To-night there will be a change of programme, when Arthur Jefferson's highly-sensational melodrama, " The World's Verdict," will be produced. The production, which is now being played with marked success both in England and America contains all the elements that go to make a successful melodrama. Among the m&nv features will be a series of magnificent scenic studies from the brush of Reg. Robins, including " Hazolwood Farm," " The Stone Quarry," "A Street in London," and several other realistic and fine pieces of stage effect and mechanism. The principal sensation of the piece is reserved for the fourth act. when the heroine is rescued by the hero from a fearful death from the maniac'? knife. The last four nights of the present season are announced. DIX'S GAIETY COMPANY. There was a large attendance at the City Hall last evening, when all the items on the programme were very cordially received Mr. John Geiger, the wonderful manipulator of the violin, aroused hearty applause by bis remarkable playing and imitations. Miss Maud Farming's sweet singing was enthusiastically acknowledged. Messrs. Clark and Cowan, the popular comedians, contributed a good deal of fun, and Mr. Ernest Fitts, Miss Hello Ray, Miss Florrie Hanger, Miss Stella Ranger, Mr. Cowan, Miss Devereux, and the other members of the company contributed successful items. _ The programme terminated with a capital farce, in which Mr. Frank M. Clark created roars of laughter. WLRTH BROTHERS' CIRCUS. Messrs. Wirth Brothers' Circus gave an. J entire change of bill last, evening, which was received with satisfaction by the spectators. The programme opened with Mons. Ragoul's thrilling tiger act, which passed off successfully. Mr. Wirth's high jumping; dogs. Mare- ! chal Neil and Fly, gave a splendid exhibition of their leaping abilities, jumping a, height of 13ft with case. /The elephant Ghum Sah gave an entirely neve exhibition, and a novel turn introduced by Sir. Carl i Wirth was a football dog, who performed ; some feats of dexterity with a football in conjunction with the clowns. Little Masiuga's contortion act thrilled the spectators and this clever child performed some new feats. Miss Annie Aldene gave a trapeze performance, and the Aldcan Brothers created roars of laughter. Mr. Phil. Wirth' exhibition with his trained horses, and ponies was an interesting item; also a ground and lofty tumbling display by an acrobatio troupe. A pony and monkey steeplechase, and many other turns, served to fill an enjoyable programme, which will 1 ■be repeated until further notice. THE WORLD'S ENTERTAINERS. The box plan for tho season of the World's Entertainers, which begins at the Opera House next Tuesday night, is to be opened to-morrow morning at Wildnian, Lyell, and Arey's. In view of the interest created by the visit of this well heralded vaudeville organisation, the booking is likely to be brisk. From Dunedin onwards the progress of this attraction through New Zealand has been one of unvarying success. The personnel of the World's Entertainers is the same as that which first appeared at the Palace Theatre, Sydney, under the direction of Messrs.' and Rial, and introduced to Australian audiences the new and popular form ot polite vaudeville with which the name of the com' pany is associated. ROWLEY'S WAXWORKS. A crowded house was present at Rowley's waxworks last night, when the previous night's programme was successfully repeated. " The singing competition drew only two aspirants, while for tho Highland fling there was only one entry. Mr. Rowley, in awarding the —silver watch and silver medal respectively—announced that tho children's toys advertised to be given away today would, with the balloon ascent, be postponed until Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. A number of now competitions are 1 announced elsewhere. NORTH NEW ZEALAND RACKING ' SYNDICATE. The first half-yearly meeting of the North New Zealand Packing. Syndicate, who Eft factory is at Whangarei. was held : in- * the Y.M.O.A. Rooms on Monday evening. Mr. George Fowlds, M.H.R., occupied the chair. The reports read were ot a most, satisfactory character. It was unanimously decided, in order to meet the growing demands of the trade, that x limited liability company be at once formed, with a capital of £10,000 in £1 shares, and that the following gentlemen form a provisional committee; to carry out the same:—Messrs. Dearsley, Wright,. Lambourne, Keals, Love, and May. - LECTURE BY THE REV. J. J. LEWIS. . The second of the course of lectures and en- .*'..*.::. Ik :.~ats held under the auspices of the Grafton Road Methodist circuit, took place ' last night in the Foresters' Hall, Newton. Mr. George Fowlds, M.H.R., presided over a large attendance. A very interesting lecture was delivered by the Rev. J. J. Lewis on " The Throne of Great Britain," in which he described the ceremonies accompanying the Coronation of British Sovereigns, i Several features connected with the reigns of past Kings and Queens of England were dwelt upon, and characteristics of British monarchs from the time of King Alfred to the present day, and the nature of their influence upon the nation, were given by the lecturer. The address was listened to with keen attention, and was frequently applauded. At the outset both the lecturer and chairman referred briefly to the regrettable cause of the postponement of the Kißg'l Coronation, expressing the hope that Hi* Majesty's illness might speedily give way to a complete recovery of health. During the evening several friends contributed song* and other musical items. The next entertainment in the course is fixed for Wednesday, July 30, when a concert will be given, under the direction of Mr. E. J. Gatland. MEETING OF MR. J. H. WITHEFORD'S SUPPORTERS. I ;■■;■;.• A meeting of the friends and supporter* of Mr. J. H. Witheford, M.H.R., took place in the Federal Club Rooms, Wellesley-stroet, last night. Mr. Witheford had arranged to entertain his friends at the close of his political meeting, which he had announced for last night, but on account of the King's illness he adjourned the public meeting. There was a large number of supporters at th« private gathering, and the tables were well laden with refreshments. At the outset Mr. R. T. Warnock, Mayor of Grey Lynn, proposed "The Restoration of the King's Health," and all present joined in singing " God Save the King." Mr. P. J. Nerheny afterwards proposed "The Health of Mr. Witheford," and Messrs. J. T. Julian, Arthur Rosser, .7. Regan, A. E. Glover, J. McLeod, J. Stichbury, Horner (president Trade and Labour Council), and R. Mo"Veagh spoke in highly eulogistic terms of Mr. Witheford's services to Auckland. Mr. Witheford responded briefly, urging that the Government should adopt a more progressive policy in opening up the waste lands of the North. He spoke" of the difficulty of securing what they wanted from Parliament for the North on account of the South Island members being in the majority, but said he hoped soon to see such a tide of prosperity sweep over the North of New Zealand that, with increased population, all difficulties regarding majorities in the House of Representatives would be settled for ever . in favour of Auckland. The city had men of energy and determination, and he was satisfied it was only a question of a little time when it would wake up, and take its position as the premier city of the southern , hemisphere. ST. JOHN'S BAND OF HOPE. _ The monthly meeting of the Band of Hope in connection with St. John's Methodist Church, Ponsonby, was held last evening in the schoolroom. " There was a largo attendance, and the Rev. W. Ready presided. After a prayer for His Majesty the King, the National Anthem was sung. A programme was then carried out, as follows:-— solo, Miss Wilson :' club exercises, Miss Belle Thome; song. Miss Thorp; violin solo. Master Heron ; dialogue. Messrs. Reeve, O'Neill, and Blomfield; recitations, Messrs. Morton and Gem—tell.