DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VII, Issue 275, 23 September 1896, Page 3

DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment in aid of St. Mar}' s Presbytery Fund took place in the Criterion Theatre on Saturday evening . last, and proved a great success,- there . being a crowded house. Before the programme commenced, Mr J. -L. Stevens," of Waihi, recited a prologue written for the occasion by Air John Birch, also of Waihi. The Paeroa Orchestral Society, under the conductorship of Mr Harston, and assisted by Messrs J. Hemus and W. Tyrrell, gave as an overture "Blue Danube Waltz," and for the excellent manner in which it was rendered received a. well deserved applause. The farce "Mr Joffin's Latch-Key" by the Waihi Dramatic. Company was the first item, in which the characters were taken by Mi- Mick Johnson (Joffins), Mr Lewis Birch (Sloggs) Miss Eva Chitham,.(Mrs Sloggs), and Miss Alice Chitham (Lizzie Ann). Ihe rery amusing complications caused by Mr Joffins getting "into the wrong house were well acted, and provoked much laughter from the audiencawho at the close heartily applauded the actors for the manner in which they had carried out their respective parts. The following musical items were, then rendered; duet, "In theduskof the Twilight" by Mrs Fleming and Miss Coote, sung with much feeling and expression; song, " Shipwrecked by Mr O'Lorrigan, who had to . respond to an enthusiastic encore; violin solo, ."Trovatore" by Mr J. Hemus, played with his wellknown skill and brilliant execution; song, "Love's old Sweet Song," with vioUn obligate by Mr E. T. Bush rendered by Miss Hackett in a most pleasing and effective manner; duet, ' « The Wind and the Harp,',' sweetly sung by the Misses Power, their voices blending together very harmoniously; overture, "Village Festival March, by the Paeroa Orchestral Society, admirably played showing the great proficiency which they have attained ■under their efficient conductor, Mr ■ Harston. The comedy, "In Honor JBound," was the concluding piece, and Pm^Dv Wright, Miss Paul, Mr John -^•eh and Mr E. Banks, members of the Waihi Dramatic Club, deserve : great praise for the very clever manner in which they acted their several : parts. . The Waihi Dramatic Club, if ■ we may judge by those; who played in the comedy and farce at the enter- • tainment, must be congratulated on possessing bo much undoubted his-

trionic talefifc^among its members, much above the ordinary run of ;amateurs. Rev. Father Hackett, in the ..course of the evening, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance on this occasion, and thanked all present for having so kindly come up to their assistance. He also thanked, on behalf of St. Mary's Church, the Waihi Dramatic Club; and all the-ladies and gentlemen who had assisted in tho Concert for the share they had taken in making it such a success. '