WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2056, 20 July 1893, Page 37

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

By P. Romptbb.

July 15. The Opera House has been occupied during the week by the Collet Dobßon Company, with three changes of programme — " Con, the Shaughraiin," "Our Boys," and "Colleen Bawn!" The weather has been of the worst, and yet very fair audiences greeted the rise of the curtain every evening, and the company has attained the goodwill of our playgoers, and were especially well received by the critics In their performance of "Our 80y5.," Next week opens with "Queen's Evidenoe," and an original dramatisation of " The Silence of Dean Maitland " is in active preparation for early produotion. Mr Walter Robarts, a baritone singer, who has lately been appearing in Christchurcb, purposes staying in Wellington for a few weeks, en route to Eagland via America to fulfil a musical engagement.

Says the Post :— " Robert Walker, an Australian colonist of more than half a, century's standing, died in the Hospital from senility and bronchitis, superadded to.asthmaof longstanding. For some petty theffc committed in London, W y alker was senij to Van Diemen's Land, and, on regaining his freedom, he crossed to the Victorian goldfields. When the gold rush to Ojfcago set in, deceased went there, and subsequently he was one of the first to build in Kevell street, Hpkitika. He afterwards purchased the Shakespeare Hote} and Theatre in Hokitika,' where T^ajbohey, the well-known singer on Ipjujl topics, and also many other then theatrical celebrities, now long since departed, appeared. Walker at one time took a deep interest in municipal and hospital affairs on the West Coast, and was always regarded there as a kind, good-hearted man. He formerly was landlord of two hotels in this city, but of late years bad fortune had befallen him, and he has kept a second-hand dealer's shop in Courtenay place, Walker was an oddity in his way, and his fund of anecdotes relative to old colonial times was inexhaustible. His widow is at present in Sydney."

Professor Richard, M.E., has appeared during the week in his " funniest show on airth." In the phunny part of his seance the Professor fair electrifies his audience, and if Shakespeare is to be relied upon as an authority upon health, the M.E. does more good with hjs mirth-pro-vocates than with all his supposed beneficial medical treatment.

The baliotting in connection with the selection of a gentleman to act as judge of the Bands Contest in Christchurch nexif November,' has resulted in favour of Mr A. G. Martin, of Wanganui, Mr 1, pallia. Trimnell polled two votes

less. Messrs Boosey and Co., the well-known musical instrument makers, London, have presented (through the Dresden Company) a cornet valued at £15 15s, as one of the prizes. The suggestion was made up here that an Australian judge should be brought over. Electricity is having a boom up this way — not due to the M.E. It has been decided by the directors of the Opera House Company to replace the large cluster of gas jets which now does duty on special nights in front of the theatre with an electric lamp of 2000-candle power. The requisite arrangements have been made with the Gulcher Company, and the new light will be used very soon. The question of illuminating the whole building by means of electricity is also under consideration. The wires for the dress circle and social hall were laid when repairing the structure after the last fire, but those for the stalls and pit were not attended to, and this will occasion some little delay.

We have a Juvenile' Operatic Company up here, the youngsters belonging to which are actively rehearsing " The Grand Duchess " for production at an early date. The Marion Willis Company 'are doing the Wairarapa.

This afternoon Mr A. F. Hill, R.C.M.L., and Miss Medley gave their second Saturday musicde of chamber music in The Dresden,, assisted by Mrs E. H. Queree (pianist), Mis* Holroyde (soprano), Messrs E. J. Hill (tenor), Sewell (clarinet), C. F. Hill (flute), W. J. Har* land (bassoon), and Curry (horn). The Wednesday pops still draw. Next Wednesday is to be devoted to an elocutionary contest, to be judged by Mr A. S. Paterson.