ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15639, 19 June 1914, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENTS.

ELOCUTIONARY RECITAL. A very fine recital of Ralph Connor's ' splendid story, "The Sky Pilot," was given in the concert chamber of the Town Hall last night by Mr. Thomas. Harris. There was a good and the . audience was keenly appreciative of Mr. , Harris's work. Having suitably adapted ' the subject for the recital, Mr. Harris portrayed in 'powerful manner the various. ' parts of the story. The coming of the pilot Gwen, an idol' of the canyon, and the building of the church were the salient features, the details of which were realistically described. ' The depth of feeling , which Mr. Harris displayed, especially in the part of the story where is depicted the uttering of "Broncho Bill's Prayer," , was very impressive. Mr. Harris gave a masterful interpretation throughout. OPERA' HOUSE. The management of tho Opera House has decided to hold matinees on Wednes--1 day of each week, in addition to the usual ■ Saturday matinoe. The first of the Wed- ■ nesday matinees will be held next week. Much interest has been taken in tho current programme, which is full of smart items. Chief among a good selection is the performance of The lioyts, American novelty equilibrists, who feature a clever set of dogs. All the other turns are good. KING GEORGE THEATRE. " Mother's Love Versus Gold " was the title of a picture-drama which sustained' the interest of the many picture-lovers who witnessed tho new programme at tho King George Theatre yesterday. Two idlerß in a mining town plan to rob a miner of gold which he holds in trust for the widow of a former partner. To further their, ends they malign the man to the widow. The sequel shows how the discerning woman falls in love with the intended victim of the plot, which her woman's wit is able to frustrate. Other dramatic films were entitled " Gentleman or Thief," and "The Golden Heart." Humorous films and picturesque Bavarian landscape" scenes added to the interest of an enjoyable programme. ORGAN RECITAL. An interesting programme has been arranged for to-morrow night's recital in the Town Hall. Mr. Maughan Barnett will introduce Karg Elcrt's Sonatina in A minor, and will also play the fantaisie on " Carmen" and the Intermezzo from Cavalloria Rusticana. Miss Dora Reed' I will sing Huhn's "InvictUß" and Lisa , Lehmann's arrangement of "Annio . Laurie," "JUDITH OF BETHULIA." At the Princess Theatre throughout next i week, commencing on Monday morning, i will be presented the picture-play " Judith of, Bothulia," described as a production of unparalleled magnificence The theme is ' adapted from the Book of Judith in tho I Apocrypha. The A.B. Company's players, i headed by Miss Daphne Wayne, journeyed . to Jerusalem, so that the subject was enacted amid realistic surroundings. Thousands of supernumeraries figure in the picture ARCADIA THEATRE. i Continuous streams of people visited . ibe Arcadia Thcatro, in Karangahapo ( Road-, yesterday, during the inaugural j public performances at the new theatre. The principal feature of the varied and i ; attractive bill .was a drama with the , ; title " Tho Gambler's Oath, v a picture , I with a strong emotional appeal. Opening I with a scene in which a gambler shoots ! tho sweetheart of the man to whom ho ' ; has lost all his money at cards, 6uc- . iceeding situations in the photo-play show I the bereaved lover a reformed man, fillII filling a promise made to the dying girl . never to gamble again. Once, temporarily, , that promise is set aside, but only for . reasons connected with the refor,m of another victim of the gambling habit. KING'S THEATRE. A well-produced drama, in which tho heart interest predominates throughout, is ( shown by a picture which is attracting large numbers to the King's Theatre this week. It is entitled " Love's Suneet," . being described' as a modern " East Lynne," and possessing those qualities which make a sentimental appeal. " Tho Tell-Tale Star" is a striking drama of the West, which is attended by many » sensational incidents. Another good dramatic study is " Tho Higher Law." > The humorous portion of the programme • is provided by the pictures, " A Dangerous Case," and "The Film Johnnie." An artistic scenic film is presented in "Tho Blue Danube." PRINCESS THEATRE. A strong comedy element was the 3 noticeable feature of the bi-weekly change of programme at the Princess Theatre yes- . terday, each of the two "star" pictures . being jn lighter vein. "The Cnocolato 3 Girl ' in the title of a mirthful French , farce. It depicts the perplexities of a lover who is discovered by his fiancee's . father in a tete-a-tete with another young i lady, a pretty and wealthy girl who enlists the help of the young man in . remedying a motor breakdown. Another j good comic subject was "Whiles Kid- , napped." 1 ALHAMBRA THEATRE. i, The usual bi-weekly chango of programme was presented before a large number of patrons at the Alhambra Theatre last even- , ing Tho main feature of the programme ■ was a pathetic picture, entitled "The Blacksmith's' Story,'' adapted from the well-known poem of Frank Olive. This picture was greatly appreciated by the audience. Another film screened was an emotional drama, entitled " Forbiddon to Lovo," tho incidents of which wero enacted in artistic surroundings. Some amusing pictures wero screened, including "Tho Heart Brokers" and " His Priceless Treasure." The remainder of the programme depicted films of grave, humorous, and scenio subjects. NEWTON PICTURE PALACE. A great attraction to patrons of the Newton Picture Palace yesterday waß the screening of scenes from Dickens's appealing story "A Christmas Carol." I The film introduces Seymour Hicks (the j well-known English actor), in a clever portrayal of the immortal Scrooge, chanced by the spirit of Christmas from a miserly misanthropo into a pleasant philanthropist. WEST END THEATRE. The patron? of the West End Theatre, were well entertained lost evening, a ro'nprehonaive proirramme including a powerful drama, entitled " The Curse of War," and pictures of the Panama Canal of yesterday and to-day. LYRIC THEATRE. There was a large audience at the Lyric Theatre last evening, when the programme for this week was again presented. Tho programme is headed by a well-produced drama, entitled "Tho Curso of War." QUEEN'S THEATRE. The principal picture screened during the change of programme at the Queen's Theatre yesterday featured 'a drama with the title, " The Story of David Greig." <J ———————— GLOBE THEATRE. Many'visited the Globe Theatre yester- • day, when an entirely new programme j contained several features of interest. ' The star picture, "The Expert's Secret," , embodied a dramatic story in which much , interest centred. An' inventor, Charles i Ward, has discovered the secret of a liquid for rendering cement indestructible. The directors of. ft concrete trust, appro- I

hensive that their business will be mined, 'leave no etone unturned, expending much | money, in their efforts to learn the secret of the invention. Several thrilling situations arise during the development of the plot. A topical budget, scenic subjects, . and humorous films were included among , tho supporting items.. i ————————— , * "ORDERS UNDER SEAL." What may happen in the event of the , European nations becoming engaged in warfare is said to be realistically depicted ' in " Orders Under Seal," a photo, play, to be presented at the Globe Theatre on ■ Monday. Actual fighting on land and sea i. has been introduced in a story of strong , dramatic interest. A gcquenco of stirring episodes is linked naturally, and the story, it is said, carries conviction. ' scenes are stated to be remarkable in ■ matters of detail, the bursting of shells I about the combatants, and the ploughing [ of tho earth- by tho exploded fragments being shown plainly. No advance in prices will be made during the currency of tho film. ROYAL RINK. The Royal Roller Rink, in Khyber Pass Road, is open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. A good "floor and skilful ' instruction are provided for pat Tons. I — COUNCILS CONFER. ■ BIRKENHEAD AND NORTHCOTE. i " • A confluence of tho Birkenhead and • Northcote Borough Councils was held at Northcoto last night. There were present:—Birkenhead Council: Messrs. C. E. Campbell (Deputy-Mayor), J. P. McPhail, . R. Webb, F. M. King, and the town clerk (Mr. A. Ernest Greenslade). Northcote: Messrs. Arthur E. Greenslade (Deputy-Mayor), J. T. Fearnley, R. H. P. Hopkins, J. Broady, and the town clerk (Mr. H. T. G. McElrov), who acted as secretary to the conference. Mr. Alex. Keyes, ox-Mayor of Birkenhead, J and ex-member of tho Harbour Board. was also present by invitation. Apologies wero received for the absence of the Mayors of Birkenhead and Nurthcole and various members, also Mr. G. R. Hutchinson, member of tho Harbour Board. Mr, Arthur Greenslade (Northcote) was voted to the chair. The Harbour Board wrote relative to the representations made that the inward and outward turnstiles on the Northcoto j and Birkenhead side of tho ferries wharf be abolished, and the gates on the western side of tho Ferry Buildings be used as an exit, and the present outward and ' inward gate be used only as an entrance to tho wharf. The board replied that this was unnecessary, as arrangements were made for the large crowds of excursionists on holidays. Tho reply was considered unsatisfactory, Messrs. Campbell, Fearnley, King, and Broady offering suggestions whereby the board could give effect to the wishes of the joint councils. It was resolved that a deputation consisting of Messrs. A. Keyes, C. E. Camp--1 bell, F. M. King, A. E. Greonslado, and 1 J. T. Fearnley wait upon Mr. G. R. Hutchinson (member of the Harbour Board) this morning, requesting that ha should use his best endeavours to have tho matter attended to by the board. Now that the wharf was covered in it was felt that the best method was to remove the present covering boxes further down the wharf to the southern end of the Ferry Buildings, where there was a much larger space and less likelihood of congestion occurring when large numbers of passengers by the ferry steamers were pawing in opposite directions to and from the stealers. , Mr. J. tyroady presented a report on behalf of Mr. T. Church and himself reoommending that a lease bo accepted of an area of ground near Kauri Gully , Bridge a« a joint pound site. On tho motioj of Messrs. Campbell and Webb, it was decided to accept the offer of this , site subject to confirmation of tho joint i ci uncils. A letter from tho Birkenhead and . Northtolo Gas Company expressing inability to reduco the price of gas for street lighting and domestic use was received. Consideration of tho report upon an electric lighting schema was held in abeyanco , till the next conference. , It was resolved that the Advisory Com- , mittee of the Little Shoal Bay Resorvo | be convened by tho chairman immediately, and tho committee be asked to ■, report to the conference upon the most i expeditious methods to adopt to bring i this reserve into a fit condition to allow ; of the various clubs utilising it for i sports, etc. | Remits to the Municipal Association's 1 Conference in Wellington were discussed, i some of which were considered of such . importance to tho joint boroughs that they aro to bo again considered at the next conference, The town clerk of Birkenhead was thanked for explaining the various objects aimed at and requested to forward a'copy to each member of tho Northcoto Council. i Tho question of the hospital and chariti able aid levies and the ' increasing amounts charged to the councils as the i result of the increase in valuations was i discussed. The chairman said manv of tho members of the Northcoto Council felt that tho revenue for hospital and chariti able aid administration should bo pro- : vided from the Consolidated Fund and bo administered as a national concern in a similar manner as education. Tho question was referred to tho North Shoro Boroughs conference The noxt conference was fixed for Thursday, July 1, at Northcote, at 7.30 p.m. > ~ ' GARRISON BAND CARNIVAL. i i A meeting to arrange for a carnival to > celebrate the jubilee of tho Garrison Artil--1 lery Band was held last evening, Mr. H. | J. Anderson presiding. Several oomrait- , tees wero appointed to arrange details in connection with tho stalls, and to secure the necessary performers to tako part in the spoctacujar matches and dances which will be a feature of tho carnival. Details j of the election of the qtieen of the carnival will be available in the course of Iho next few days.