The Rowe Benefit.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8365, 28 February 1896, Page 3

The Rowe Benefit.

As might lin-vo been expected there was a good gathering at the.entertainment given in the Academy of Music last evening, in aid of Mr Jas. Rowe. who has been laid up with a serious illness for such a long time. Tho Thames people are ever sympathetic, and in this case there arc grounds for their sympathy, as Mr Howe has long lived here; he is known to most of the inhabitants, aud to somo extent ho assisted in developing' the mining industry, and with other pioneers helped to make the town what it is, He has always been much respected and when in fgood health was ever ready to extend a helping hand to those iii distress. Small wonder then, in his hour of heed, that wo should desire to help him, and it is sincerely we hope that tho efforts of His Worship the Mayor and tho other gentlemen who, have taken the initiative in the matter will meet with all-round success. One part of the scliemo—the entertainment —lias already matured well, and in that we see a good omen for the completion of the laudable desire to afford help when needed.

To refer to the. concert. It was plated in the hands of Mr 11, Hastings to work up, and right well did he do his work. He determined to get out of the ruck as far as possible, and with that end in view he decided that the first, and second parts should consist of miscellaneous items—vocal and instrumental,—that a good comedy should be produced and that to conclude there should'be an hour or two's indulging in the light fantastic. Everything - went off splendidly. The vocal items numbered eight, the best rendered of which were Miss Berryinan's" Only once More"; Mrs Somerville's "Tit for Tat," and Mr W. Johnston's '' Plymouth Sound," although we certainly appreciated Miss Wood's rendering of "Better bide a .wee," and Mr J. Hardman is to be complimented oh his version of the popular song " Good bye Sweetheart." The comic songs were good in their way, indeed it is perfectly true to say that Mr T. Wells with "Man's not required," and Mr G. Brown with "I'm the doctor," regularly brought down the house. Both performers sustained the funny role exceedingly well. Of tho instruj mental items on. tlio programme the trio Miss Smith (piano), Mr G. G. Smith (cornet), and Mr E. Williams (violin), played two selections very well, and the audience showed tHeir appreciation by the applause given the performers. We also much enjoyed Sir Ji Lawrence's mandolin solo, the gentleman proving himself a skilful manipulator of the strings. A feature of the entertainment was the recitations given by Miss Theodora Drew with sceneic effects. She recited "Rizpiih" in an exceedingly clever manner, and tt racing story was also well told. The comedy " Tho Little Sentinel" went off without a hitch, the characters being all thoroughly sustained. < The cast was as follows Captain Courtington (of the Dragoons), Mr W. Hammond; Mr Coaxer (a lady-killer), Mr 1 E. Payne; Sim (a rustic), Mr G. E, Buckland; May (The Little Sentinel), Miss J. ftoefoed; Mrs Hawthoro (a wido.v), Miss M. Mason. These ladies and gentlemen deserve high praise for tho completeness of the. details, and it is apparent ''that avast amount of trouble must have been expended by then) in the short time at their disposal to achieve last night's creditable result. The break up of the gathering wis the dance, the music for which was in the hands of Mr and Mrs Martin, Mr W. O'Brien carrying out the duties of M.C,