AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4362, 13 March 1875, Page 6

AMUSEMENTS.

In theatrical matters and amusements generally a welcome lull has been experienced during the past month. From the time of the visit of the Claus-llekel company down to the conclusion of the Bates-Howard dramatic season, the demands upon the tastes and the purses of the public has been continuous and exhaustive, and when the Theatre and the Odd Fellows’ Hall were abandoned to vacancy, the announcement was received with a feeling of relief. The interval since the departure of the last mail has- not,, however, been altogether destitute of instructive relaxation. The Rev, Charles Clark, a brilliant lecturer from Victoria, entertained the masses for several evenings with lectures, upon. “ Pickens,” “Goldsmith/' and “The Tower, of London,” and created an impression which nothing but “ the vengeance of time ” will efface. His popularity and his fame became so wide-spread in this province that he had to pay a visit to the inland towns, and he was enthusiastically received at Masterton. A lapse of a week introduced us to a peripatetic phrenologist, named Bruce, who, by the way, is able in his way, and possesses the rare gift of modest pretensions. It may' be accepted as a collateral fact that Mr. Bruce, agentless 1 and without assurance of his own, made little headway in a pecuniary sense, and departed as quietly as he came. Beda—the one-legged gymnast-—turned up shortly after, and gave two entertainments at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, which resulted in the collection of sufficient funds to start himon his way rejoicing ; and this finished the list of “side shows”'which served to pass away the time.

The Girards are now playing ‘a r; four nights’ season at the Odd Fellows’ Hall/ 7 and it is needless to mention that they have astonished the multitude considerably, though they appear at ; great ’ disadvantage in a building utterly’ unsuited to their “business/’ the reason being that'the 1 Theatre is at undergoing, extensive and very necessary alterations. These’ alterations consist in the loweririg’of the dress circle at the’sides, 1 so 'that persons in those positions can see the ; performance, ;the proscenium having been'also widened, to carry out the work. Private boxes are being constructed, one of which has already been Secured by his Excellency the • Governor, who is a liberal patron of the drama, and on the udiole the interior of the Theatre null shortly present a greatly improved appearance." The Bates Company have returned from Napier, where, it is stated, they were very successful. Mr. and Mrs.Batcs still remain here, but the other members of the company, amongst them Mr. Hydes, have gone to Wanganui on their own hook. They will shortly return, as it is intended to open the Theatre again on the 29tlx insfc, Mr. Bates and Mr. Howard again resume the management, and these enterprising gentlemen intend catering' to the taste of the public by securing the newest and the best talent obtainable. Mrs. Bates will probably rest on her laurels for a short time, the probability being that Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins will make their way southwards from Auckland, through Wellington in a week or so.