MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 858, 10 August 1888, Page 24

MASTERTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) v August 3.

Although little has been said up to tho present a3to the annual show of the Wairarapa Poultry Society, which takes place next week, there is reason to believe that it will not be in any way behind its predecessors. The Committee have taken a number of distinctly forward steps, and the prize list has also been naturally increased. Entries close to-morrow (Saturday). A very successful performance of Root’s operetta “ The Flower Queen” was given nt the Theatre Royal List night by a number of amateurs, who, in accordance with the composer’s idea, all belonged to the gentler sex. The mounting, and other stage effects were exceedingly good, aud the dresses worn by the ladies most tasteful and appropriate throughout. The majority of the voices were perhaps a trifle weak (Mastertou has, I am sorry to say, no superabundance of vocal talent at the present time), but taken altogether, they acquitted themselves with great credit. I believe the performance afforded a glimpse at a good deal of latent talent which will show up to advantage at some future day. The acting was excellent throughout. Great credit is due to Mrs G. Hooper for the manner in which she drilled and otherwise instructed her company. It is not often that a lady undertakes such a wearisome task, and one which is withal only too often a thankless one, and Mrs Hooper is therefore, to be congratulated upon the complete success wliich has attended her efforts. “The Flower Queen ” is to be repeated to-night. Tlie annual ball of the Mastertou Volunteer Fire Brigade, which is, I think, the most popular public body in Maaterton at present, has been fixed for the 15th inst. The management has been placed in the hands of a good committee, so that there is every "prospect of tho affair proving successful. There has been nearly a fortnight’s rain from the southward, though not sufficient to stop farming operations. Yesterday there were heavy showers from the north and south-west, and, true to Captain Edwin’s prediction, tho rivers were flooded. The clouds on the Tararua still look threatening.