WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2527, 20 August 1902, Page 57

WELLINGTON WING WHISPERS

Br P. Bourns.

August 15

Dear Pasquin. — The Pollards are still with us, and, considering tiis, length of their season, have done excellent business. During the week they have given us "The Gondoliers," "La Pour>ee f " "The French Muid. There is to be another niatinee of "The Messenger Boy" to-morrow, and on Monday we are to have a revival of "Patience." The Gaiety Co. is still going strong at tha Rojal. This weeVs roster of the company included Arms and Alico, Frank Clark, Jot Cowan, Connie Deverexix, Carl Collier, Molli* Bentley, Stella and Florrie Ranger. The Garrison Baud, Turner's Banjo and Guitar Band, and other musicians gave a benefit entertainment to Mr E. J. Jong, on« of our oldest musicians, who has fallen upon evil times, in the Choral Hall oa Tuesday last.

Our Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Draiuatia Club is to give a, performance of "The Wear-, ing of the- Green " in the Exchange Hall next Monday night. We w«r» told the other day that Mr Claude "Whaitc was to leave Wellington shorl'y to enter a larger sphere in London. Speculation had it that he waa going to London as Mr Due's representative. W« are informed to-day that Mr Whaite has been offered and has. accepted the managership of Mr Robert Brough'a tour of the East. As I intimated to you eom-e litHe time ago, we are to have Mr Alfred Hill back in Wellington again in permanent settlement. H« haa not found the climate of Sydney agree with himself or his family, w> he haa decided to return to the place of his birth, despite, the fact that he had woTkcd up a fine connection in Sydney. Readers of my notes during the past "ten years will remember many refeiences to the progress of Alfred Hill. Ha had won repute as a composer before leaving Wellington, and added thereto as conductor of the Sydney L:edertafel. At our Cotonai*on demonstration last Saturday, ono of Mr Hill's com position*— "When the Empire calls" — was sung by the enormous choir of children. He was to receive a send-off benefit in Sydney to-morrow, and at the end of the month returns to Wellington, where lie is to 'receive a pnbhc reception. On the invitation of our Mayor, a meeting is bt-injfheld in the Council Chambers this afternoon to make arrangements for Mr Hill's reception when he returns. It is proposed to give him a wclcom* concert.