“THE BIRTH OF THE EMPIRE."

Southern Cross, Volume 9, Issue 2, 13 April 1901, Page 9

“THE BIRTH OF THE EMPIRE."

The spectacular entertainment bearing the above title was opened in the Zealandia Hall on Monday evening, and is still going on. Every bit ot the available space on the opening night was occupied by onlookers, and since then it has been a case of encore. Signor Borzoni, commander-in-chief, has his forces splendidly disciplined, and when, after a few introductory words from his Worship the Mayor, the band struck up, and the forces of the Empire filed in from one side until the centre was filled with groups of picturesquely attired representatives of the British army, the effect of the varied uniforms being enhanced by the addition of banners, floral hoops, etc., the spectators cheered the performers again and again. The applause was renewed as, obedient to the word of command, the groups marched and countermarched, formed themselves into graceful combinations, or joined in national dances, and went through a series of evolutions that converted the floor for the nonce into a &ood imitation of fairyland, the glow of colour and the poetry of motion combining to rivet the attention of patrons. Of course, there were lulls in the pro-

gramme, and during these the ladies in charge of the numerous and wellfilled stalls found ready sale for their beautiful and varied wares. The following is a list of those taking part in the entertainment, the success of which was greatly enhanced by the music of a strong orchestra : Stall-Holders. New Zealand Stall—Meadames Timpany and Leahy. India —Mesdames Roche and Dunne. Canada —Mrs Healey and Miss Cahill. Australia —Mesdames McGrath and Maher. England—Mesdames Snodgrass and Ross. South Africa —The Misses Stock. Ireland—The Misses Kirwan. Scotland —■ Mrs McDonagli and Miss Gourley. Tea Kiosk —The Misses Thompson. The Empire’s Forces. Gordon Highlanders—The Misses Cunningham, O’Brien, Maloney, O’Brien, M. Shea, Maggie Shea, Crawford and Robertson. Household Guards —The Misses Forde (2), Hogue, McDonnell, Shea, Dickenson (2) and Loredo. Irish Fusilliers O’Keefe, Ward, Denniston and Pasco. Light Infantry The Misses Sandri, Staunton (2), Butler, Robertson, Cavanagh, Bailey and Keating. Rough Eiders —The Misses Starkey, Sherwood, Maiey, Reidy, McNally, Gorman, etc. Royal Bengals—The Misses West, Harrop, Ives, Kelleher, Sandri. Dryden, etc. Canadian Hussars—The Mi-ses Cavanagh, Scullj, Wills (2), Gourley, Naysmith, Ryan and Leahy. Mounted Infantry—The Misses Kirwan, Kempton, Forde, Burke, Walshe, Maher, Lynch, W ohle rs. Canadian Dance. The Misses Enright, McNamara, Butler, Waterston, Burgoyne, Cahill, Traynor and Gourley, and Messrs McGrath (2), Butler, Cahill, Enright, Shirley, McNamara and O’Brien. The O’Shan*: Girls. Katie McGrath, Nellie Broad, Mary Hogue, Sissy Barrie, Maggie Lavelle, Susy Barry, Kate Shepherd, Katie Griffen. Spanish Dance. Mary McKeown, Eva Kingsland, Susan Roche, Jane Roche, Carrie Sheehan, Nellie Shepherd, Mabel Feldwick, Cora Feldwick. Waltz Dansante. Maggie Shepherd, I. Jackson, Norah Hynes, Ethel Cavanagh, Jane Burke, Sarah Monaghan, Annie O’Shea, Katie Walker, Mary McDonough, Mary McLaren, Irene Tucker, Vera Wilkin. Amy Harrington, Eileen Cockroft, Sissy Monaghan, Florie Cockroft, Flora Coleby, Madeline Wells, Katie Scully, Sissie Grace, Maggie Monaghan. Waltz. Nellie Broad, Katie McGrath. Sissy Hogue, Rita Kirwan, Maggie Kane, Minnie Barrett, Maggie Donnelly, Katie Maloney, Lizzie Hughes, Teresa Gilfedder, Sarah Wells, Katie Griffen. Mary Hogue. Maggie Lavelle, Sissie Barry, Susie Barry, Katie Shepherd, Beatrice Lee, Lizzie Finnerty. The Basutos (boys). R. Cassidy, J. Kirwan, J. McNamara, H. Feldwick, B. Timpany, J. Crawford, J. Smith, J. Monaghan, W. Monaghan, J. McAlister, O. McAlister, M. Griffin, V. McKeown, F. McGrath, G. Watson, M. Lavelle, B. Walker, J. O’Brien, B. Sweetman, E. Hogue, I. Shepherd, I. Durham, G. Durham, J. Forde, W. Forde, W. Hughes, S. Smith, J. Ryan, Jas. Durham, J. McDouagli, P. Mannix, P. Scully, S. Crawford.