NORTHERN FOOTLIGKT FLASHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 39

NORTHERN FOOTLIGKT FLASHES.

By Svbnoali.

Auckland, January 5. Dear Pasquin,— At present shows are numerous here. Bland Holt's company remain tha prin« cipa.l attraction at the Opera House, showing to crowded an,d delighted audiences .nightly. "For England " was withdrawn in favour of " Iv Sight of St. Paul's " on Friday, the piece proving a good draw. Sutton Vane's melodrama was staged in capital style. The comedy element, as usual, was supplied by Bland Holt, assisted by his talented wife.

Miss Juliet Wray arrived in Auckland oa Dedeinber 24 to join her husband, Dr Sharman.

The Ph>l'is Perrier Company did fairly good business at'the Choral Ilall last week. They now intend touring the country districts, afterwards returning to Auckland to give their farewell performance in one of the larger hall?.

The Ginenivtographe Lumiere, shown by Mr Wybert Reeve at the Hall, is attracting a fair share of public patronage. Mr Geo. "BLiggott, a local baritone with a good voice, and Miss Hope Nation contribute items to the programme. The season closes in a few nights.

The Chiistchurch Kinematograph Company finished their short season at the Agricultural Hall on the 2nd, business throughout the season being good. To-morrow the company commence a short tour of the up-country towns. Mr Win. M'Ke»zie aod Miss Jes=ie Glover (elocutionist) are still with the company. The (Jadzows and company, with their " kiney " and phonograph, &c, are in the country doing 18carat business. Mr Collett Dt*bsop, with a dramatic company, was at Mercury Bay last week. The Alhambra Variety Company, headed by an Australian Blondin and assisted by a number of specialty artistes, will open a season at the Agri« cultural Hall, commencing on the Bth inst.

In consequence of a report made to tbe Board of Guardians of the Camberwell Infirmary, London, complaining of cigarette smoking, supper parties, and music playing by the nurses at night, the board called npon the nurses recently to resign. The young women have written asking for a reconsideration of their cage upon the ground that they had been condemned without having been given an opportunity o£ speaking in their own defence. They smoked, as did almoit every nurse on the staff, for sanitary reasons, as they were compelled to live ia the old Havil street Workhouse, which had been condemned as dangerous to health, a'ndt from which the medical staff and ptti«ats haft been removed some months ago. They smoked! to keep down the otherwise intolerable smells of the place. The practice was not indulged in. in public, but in their own bedrooms. They emphatically denied the charges of having •upper patties an,d playing musical instra* meats t& night to the detriment •£ ttos patients.