POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12603, 5 March 1903, Page 5

POLLARD'S OPERA COMPANY.

Much curiosity is sure to be aroused' over the first production on Saturday evening of the Maori opera "Tapu." A large number of Maoris witnessed this piece during its season in Wellington, and were delighted witli- the clever mannor in which the Pollard Company had caught the ideas and. actions of Maori life, the liaka aJid poi diibces coining in for a special word of praise. Mr Alfred Hill, tha composer of the tnusic of " Tapu," has achieved flesh honours. Practically every character has a song to sing, embracing some delightful melodies, as original in stylo as they are varied in character. The chorus nork, too, is said fo be generally fine. Mr W. S. Percy, as George AVright, supplies most of the humour of the piece. Misses Connie Battel, Gertie Campion, Nellie Wilson, Alice Pollard, and Messrs Percival Aylmer, J. Ralston, and D. O'Connor are also happily cast. It is understood that Mr J. C. Williamson will produco "Tapu" in Australia at an early date. The company arrive from Oainwu to-moirow. The plan of seats for " Tapu." is now open at the Dresden. The season is limited to .seven nights. — Mr A. 0. Holzapfel points out ill© striking difference, botween English and Getman fees scientific instruction. One of his sons studied chemistry at Aachen, and tlio fees for lectures, laboratory ' work, broakages, ctc., were between £6 and £7 yearly. Another son attended King's College, Itohdon, for a course of work similar to that, his brother had had in Germany, and the feo was £47 13s 9d for a year. Tho explanation is given by the 6ecretary of the London college, who pointed out in a letter to Mr Holzapel that "the Continental colleges are endowed by the State, but in England they have to live on tho fec-s of students for the most part, with a very small grant from the Stato in Eome eases, and what they can, raise voluntarily, fig® thy Bublis;" ' ~