WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2436, 21 November 1900, Page 55

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS.

By P. Komptkdi November 16. Dear Paso,uin, — For the Prince's holiday season we had a section of our amateurs (the Fabians — not socialists, but folks from Erin's Isle, foi the most part) in "Ariah-na-Pogue." The performance was only fair, but it was successful in its object — the raising of a subscription towards the furnishing fund of the new Catholic Church at Thorndon. Othei times we have had vaudevillians at us regularly, and in every direction — the Gaiety Cornx^any at the Exchange Hall, Bijou Company at the Choral Hall, and Hooper's Company at the Federal Theatre. Mr Dix has a gang of workmen plying the hammei and the brush at the Theatre Royal in preparation for the Christmas pantomime season. Mention of P.E.D. reminds me that he can sing with Cartel to-morrow, "It is my biithday!" The Wellington G-aiety Company and some friends of his have sent him a handsome present foi the occasion in the shape of a solid silver combination cigarette and sovereign case. He is going to hurry down from Auckland to wet that combined affair. Look out, boys — Whatllyave? Baritone John Prouse gave me a look in this morning. He and Mrs Howie (Te Rangipai), who have beer filling engagements as soloists at Christchurch and Dunedin, returned to Wellington by the Eotomahana to-daj r . Mr Prouse was very hospitably treated during his three weeks' stay in the south. Tho Dunedin Choral Society's production of "Elijah" (in which both singers were engaged) was a musical and financial success. Mr Prouse, as will be remembered, sang the solo in the Canterbury Jtfbilee Ode at the opening o± the Exhibition. Recitals were given by Mrs Howie at Oamaru, Timaru, and Ashburton, X^r Piouse assisting, and were very successful. Miss Lih Sharp (soprano) and M. Hafalowski (violinist), two Australian musicians, began a concert season in the Opera House last niglit. Again the voice from the musical wilderness cries, Why do these people come over here to fall, as all predecessors have fallen, upon dull ears and empty benches? Won't

some kind friend of Australian musicians ad■■•lse them all to keep a»vay from this side of 'Li'maa Sea? I hear iherc aie ofcheis piep&rrng for a descent. If Ihty see these remarks, let ihem consider seriously Punch's advice to those obou: to many. Next Tuesday, m the Opeia House, ye aie to see the wonderful War ISiograph brought over by Mr Bailey.