EASTER HOLIDAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13727, 18 April 1908, Page 6

EASTER HOLIDAYS.

A VARIED PROGRAMME. YESTERDAY'S EVENTS. COMING ATTRACTIONS. Favoured with excellent weather the Easter holidays opened auspiciously yesterday. Full advantage was taken by plea-sure-loving Aucklanders of the fine day, and thousands spent an enjoyable day in the fresh air. The attractions of the harbour proved the greatest magnet, and several thousand people found their way to the numerous waterside resorts. The employees of the Auckland Tramways Company and their friends proceeded to Pine Island in ferry boats, some hundreds attending. Sports were, provided and a pleasant day was spent. The employees of the post office also were relieved from duty, 'and participated in a gathering at Motutapu Island. in addition the Devonport Ferry Company conveyed very considerable numbers of> people to the North Shore and other favourite spots, large crowds assembling on the Cheltenham Beach, at Takapuna, Rangitoto, St. Heliers Bay, and other places in the harbour. The Northern S.S. Company and the Settlers S.S. Company also ran special excursions to the islands in the gulf and the port* along the coast, and these were also well patronised. The Easter volunteer manoeuvres were \ commenced, and the Auckland Bowling tournament was opened.' Special services were held in the various churches in the city and suburbs during the day, and were largely attended. EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS. ST. MATTHEW'S SACRED RECITAL. At the evening service at St. Matthew's Church last night, a fine recited of Passion music was given before a. crowded congregation. The vocalists. included Madame Chambers, who rendered "O, Divine Redeemer" (Gounod); Miss Alice Rimmer, who sang the same composer's solo, There Is a Green Hill;" Mr. J. W. Ryan, whose numbers comprised the recitative, "He Made Himself of No Reputation," and the solo, "Man of Sorrows;" and Mr. W. Aspinall, who sang some recitatives pud the air, " But Thou Didst Not Leave" (Handel's "Messiah"), and "King Ever Glorious" (the tenor solo from Stainer's " Crucifixion"). The choir sang several anthems, including one specially written for boys, and chorus by J. Varley Roberts, "Jesu, Priceless Treasure." During the offertory the organist (Mr. J. H. Phillpot) played with taste Godfrey's " Agony in the Garden," and "March to Calvary." An address was given during the service by the Rev. P. S. Smallfield.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A pictorial and musical entertainment was given at His Majesty's Theatre last night, under the management of Messrs. MacMahon, when there was a numerous attendance. A quantity of the more interesting living pictures in the repertoire of the firm were projected on to the screen. They covered a wide range, including, fantasy, humour, and drama, and they proved much to the taste of those present. Mr. R. S. Airey, R.A.M., opened the concert programme with a rendering of Batiste's organ solo, . "Grand Offertoire in F." The Unique Quartette (Messrs.'Abel Rowe, A. G. Fogerty, Geo. Pelham, and James Lonergan) were recalled for their contributions, " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" and " Moonlight on the Lake," responding with " Beware" and a coon medley. • Misses Liz2;ic and Madoline Knight gave an admirable rendering of the duet, " Sainted Mother" (from "Maritana"), and Miss Madoline Knight's solo, " Calvary," was most expressively sung. A recitation and .-'»■' musical character sketch (" Memories' were cleverly done by Mr. H. Herbert, these completing this. portion of the entertainment.

"FROM CRADLE TO. CROSS." A bioscope entertainment, entitled " From Cradle to Cross," was given at the Royal Albert Hall last evening, there being a large audience. The pictures were similar to those shown at an afternoon entertainment, and the performance was under the direction of Mr. C. Cooper. The pictures depicted a. number of scenes from the life of the Saviour from His childhood to the crucifixion. , In addition a number of sacred songs were interspersed throughout the programme, with scenic, choral, and orchestral effects. The following contributed to the programme.-Misses Willis, Gooch, Barnes, Richards, Mrs. Black, Messrs. Snowdon, Heath, and Hickman. Mr. 1 A. J. Black (city mLssioner) supplied the descriptive, lines, and announced that on Monday night Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., will render a descriptive lecturetie, and that living pictures of the British navy will be shown. ' ORGAN RECITAL. An organ recital at St. David's Presbyterian Church last night by Mi". Edward S. Craston, the organist and choirmaster, attracted an audience that filled the building. The programme opened with Mendelssohn's "Grand Organ Recital, No. 1," followed by a study by Schumann and Bach's fugue in G ' minor, in all of which the organist's technique was shown to a marked degwse. Mr. Craston's numbers also included amongst others Handel's " Concerto in B Flat Major," which was thoroughly appreciated, and the "March of the Israelites," which found almost- equal favour. Miss Annie Taylor contributed the solo "There is a Green Hill" and Mr. W. Steel " Calvary," ' both being rendered in excellent taste, while the choir, under the direction of Mr. Craston, sang the anthem, "Lead, Kindly Light," Miss Neilson taking the solo.

' OPERA HOUSE. A special programme, suitable to the occasion, was presented at the Opera House last evening. A special series of pictures, depicting events in the life of Christ, were shown and were much appreciated. Vocal items were also supplied by Miss Lavinia Tyson, the Harmonious Huxhams, Miss Edith Maitland, and Mr. James Opie. EVENTS TO COME. BY LAND AND WATER. To-day a number of the business places will be opened and closed again on Monday. The Auckland Racing Club will open its autumn meeting at Ellerslie. The Foresters will hold a united picnic at Motutapu, and the annual picnic of the Waitemata Boating Club will take place at Orakei, where sculling and gig races will be held. A regatta, will also be held at Kawau. The volunteer manoeuvres and the bowling tournament will be continued. In the evening the Julius Knight Company will open its season at His Majesty's Theatre. At the Opera House a complete change of programme will be given this evening. In addition, two new turns will be given, Hugh' Patrick Lloyd, the champion slack-wire walker, and T. Bryant, a baton manipulator. Lloyd created a great impression with his performance 'in a circus company some time ago, especially with his somersaulting on the rope while playing a violin. The usual Easter Day services will be held at the various churches to-morrow. On Easter Monday the usual harbour and gulf excursions will be run, while the Railway Department will run special trains as announced in Thursday's issue. The

A.R.C- races will be continued and sports meetings will be held in the country, while the annua? regatta will take place at Awaroa Bay, Waiheke. Volunteer manoeuvres and the bowling tournament will also be continued. . RAILWAY TRAFFIC. SOME HEAVY BOOKINGS. 1 The railway bookings from Auckland on Thursday by the first express numbered approximately 500, and upwards of 200 of these intended going through to Rotorua. The second express left for Thames at 10.35 a.m., with 250 aboard. A number on this train were hound for Taumarunui and stations on the Main Trunk line, this excursion of late having proved very popular. A fair proportion of the passengers on the second express intended to visit Waihi. The traffic yesterday on the main line was very heavy, the morning express carrying a" large complement of passengers. The expresj which arrived at five o'clock last evening was very crowded, two large locomotives drawing 11 carriages which contained about 600 passengers. Traffic on the suburban lines was not heavy yesterday, being about that of an ordinary Sunday. NAPIER. [by TELEGRAPH.—PKKSS ASSOCIATION'.] Napikji, Friday. The weather was beautifully fine to-day, and there were many visitors in town. WELLINGTON. [BY TELEGRAPH. — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Friday. Though no rain fell, the weather has ben unpleasant for the holiday to-day, owing to a rather fierce northerly gale, which raised a considerable quantity of dust.