PORT CHALMERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1383, 1 June 1878, Page 6

PORT CHALMERS.

The Birthday was observed as a olose holiday at the part, all work being suspended db the wharves and the whole of the business places being closely shut. The signal station and harbour officeß displayed their' colours during the day, and ueveral of the hotels did the same, but there was an absence of any great display by the shipping, the only vessel fully dressed being the barque Sabrina, the rest of the ships simply displayed thdir ensigns. A large number of the residents proceeded to Dunedin during the early part of the day for tbe purpose of visiting the races and other attractions, while a few visitors came down from town. In the afternoon the men of the Fort Chalmers Naval Brigade were engaged at shot and shell practice from the Quarantine Island ; and in the evening the Cadets attached to the Brigade gave an entertainment at the Foresters' Hall. There was a large audience present, and 'the firßt part of the programme, which consisted of a Christy Minis trel performance, was carried out exceedingly well ; it was followed by an original musical burletta, written and composed by Mr De Maus, and entitled " Black Eyed Sarah." The piece was well mounted and capitally played, the dialogue was witty, and the music bright and cheerful. The lads were evidently quite ?t home, and, considering this was their first public appearance, did remarkably well. Mr De Maus, who acted as stage manager, musical director, and prompter, is to be oongratulated on the successful issue of the Derformance.