EVENING AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3826, 23 August 1899, Page 5

EVENING AMUSEMENTS.

A SOCIAL TO MR J. HUTCHESON.-

Th« friends and supporters of Mr John'"Hutcheson, M.H.E. for Wellington City, tendered to nun a complimentary social in the Choral Rah last nia'ht. The interior of the building •was"' artistically decorated with flags and evergreens, which. interspersed ivith Chinese lanterns, gave the stu - - i ;ard:n' r 3an interesting appeaiaiics. A knee Union Jack extended across the draped platform, and being caught to in the enure, formed a ivcll-r.esigued arch under which the contributors to tin- programme stood. The audience vr.-s large and enthusiastic, aiming these present being Messrs T. E. Taylor J. IV. Kelly and Fred. Piraui, M.’sH.R. Mr W. Jones, secretary to the Seamen’s Union, occupied the chair, and introduced the guest of the evening (Mr Hutcheson) in a, few well-chcsen words. A varied and excellently rendered musical programme was then proceeded with, and at intervals short addresses were contributed bv Messrs Pirani, Taylor and Kelly, which, however, were of a non-pohtical character. Those who contributed vocal and instrumental items were —Miss Maude Smith, who sang “Bid me to Love; ” Mr S. Gordon, ‘The Sentinel am I;” Miss Eandell, “Tell me, my Heart; ” Mrs Teale. “Dear* Heart; ” Miss Jamieson, “Braes o’ Glemffer.” A duet. “Tho Sailer’s Sighs,’’ was sung by Miss Randell and one of her pupils, and an amusing sketch, “The Showman” by Mr Hale, concluded the musical programme. Mr J. Hutcheson, in returning thanks for the honour con-1 ferred upon him that evening, said he I had ever tried “to do unto others as j he would that, they should do unto him.” Dancing was afterwards indulged in to the excellent music of a. band composed of Mrs Zenp (piano), Mr Thompson (clarionette), Sir Townsend (double bass), Mr Eades (cornet). My McDonald (flute) and Mr Pyke (drum). Messrs Moss and Pointer di- 1 reeled the ceremonies.

HERS FBIEDENTHAL. Herr Albert Friedenthal, who lias travelled over half the world, will give_ his recital at the Opera House this evening. Be is said to execute the Beethoven ■Sonata in E-major op. 109 in a very clear and technically perfect manner, gradually becoming more animated, and the climax is reached by the wonderful execution of the difficult polonaise in A flat-major. By the performance of a. number of modern pieces Herr Friedeuthal ' will exhibit his great perceptive faculty and his ability to express the most different sentiments ami pictures. The programme will include the Sonata in C-sharp minor, “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven, Polonaise in A-fiat major (Chopin), Norwegian Danse (Greig), Csardaban Pusataban (Friedenthal)' Storm Scone the Helmsman’s Song from the “Flying Dutchman,” first act (Wagner). The box plan will be open at Holliday’s today till 1 p.m., and on account of the half-holiday at the Opera House from 2 till 6 p.m.

The oratorio “Captives in Babylon” is to be performed at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Petone, this evening by the Wesleyan choir, assisted by a capable orchestra and other friends. The soloists include Miss Winnie Birch, Miss Evans and Mr C. J. Evans. The proceeds are in aid of the funds of the Wesleyan Church.

A vocal and dramatic entertainment wilh be given in St. Peter’s' Schoolroom to-morrow evening . in, aid of , the building funds. A notification as to those from whom tickets may be obtained appears in another column. The last of the four socials in aid of furnishing the new Catholic Basilica

at Thorndon was well attended last niglit. It was held in St. Paul’s Schoolroom, and over. 150 couples were present. The music was supplied by Cimino’s orchestra, and songs were sung by Misses Pender (2). Rev Father Hills (St. Patrick’s College) and Messrs Carr, Blight, MeManaway, Gordon and Ballance. The arrangements were in the hands of a large committee of ladies and gentlemen. Among these present were several of the city clergy. Mr Thomas Kingston, an English actor, has arrived in Australia under engagement to Messrs Williamson and Musgrove, and will make his first appearance in the initial production of the drama “Secret Service,” at her Majesty’s Theatre, Sydney, on Saturday night, to bo followed later by “The Only Wav.” a dramatisation of Dickens’s “Tale of Two Cities.”