REMUERA BILL.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 10, 20 November 1880, Page 80

REMUERA BILL.

than on the occasion of his last visit to England, but the pace he gets out of his shell is faster ' than when he was matched with Elliott. The dimensions of the new practice-boat, built for Mm by Swaddle and Winship are— Length, 30ft. 9in.j beam, llin.; height at stem, 3|in.; height amidships, siin.j and height at stern, 2fin., her slide having a rim of 26 inches." In Auckland the belief in Trickett has all through been simply extraordinary. The opinions of experienced sporting writers and river touts were contemptuously pooh-poohed, and men who do not usually allow their judgement to be warped by national feeling accepted every wager on offer against Trickett with a perfectly childlike faith. The fall of the idol has naturally been accompanied with a good deal of strong language, and it will be many a long day before the dissapointment is forgotten.

either tell them they are exaggerating, or else smile at their attempts. Mrs. Stevens contributed "0 mio Fernando" (Donizetti), and sang it well, displaying a pretty light voice. Although this song, especially in the working lip to the " finale," requires a fuller and higher organ than the lady possesses, — a remark which will apply to the soprano part in the "Magic Wove Scarf " (Mountain Sylph), which was on the whole well rendered, by Mrs. Stevens, Mr. Wilson, and Mr Gooch. " Com' 6 gentil " was to my mind, a little too vehement in the beginning, which is always commenced in the Italian Opera "con molto "expressione." The fact of this piece being a serenade, the most delicate and refined singing is required ; but with great care and training Mr. Wilson's naturally good voice may be made very suitable to this school of vocal music. Mr. u 'Byrne's

present capabilities. Something, however, unusual appeared to be the matter with the singer, for he made a complete fiasco. A particularly pleasing number on the programme was a duett for two harps, in which Mr. Swallow and Miss Lucy Sullivan took part. The piece was deservedly encored, for it was a novelty, besides being well played. Mr. Swallow apologised for not singing (in conjunction with Mr. Wilson) the " ye Maria,'' in consequence of a slight cold; but in the "Carnival de Venise," was again to the fore. An overture of Weber's (once more introducing eight charming young ladies and their instructor) brought the Concert to a close. Before concluding, it is right to state that Mr. Swallow's ability as a teacher and fine pianist were fully proved. The Concert wa,s a little long, and terminated at a very late hour. X.A.M.

The ball held in the new Masonic Hall at Femuera, on the evening of the Prince of Wales' Birthday, was a great success. The committee widely decided not to have many decorations. At the east end of the hall there was a portrait of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, above which Avas the royal standard, kindly lent by J. E. Pounds, Esq., manager of the Union Bank, while at the west end there was a floral decoration in the form of a square and compass, made by the Misses Lodder. The stewards were Brothers George, Heslceth, Lodder, Hardie, Bedford, and Rattray, the last named acting as M.C. The light blue and silver, and dark blue and gold masonic regalia had a very pretty effect. Although it was a masonic ball, non-masons were admitted, and the company present were, with one or two exceptions, just ■what one would meet with at any of the fashionable assemblies of Epsom or Remuera. Among the ladies were Mrs. Heather and Miss Quartier, Mrs. and the Misses Buckland, Mrs. Hesketh, and the Misses Frodsham, Mrs. and the Misses Lodder, Mrs. Layers, Mrs. Binks, Mrs. and Miss Brookfield, Mrs. and Miss Shepherd, Miss Aitken, Mrs. Cochrane and Miss Nolan, Mrs. Walmsley and Miss

Mrs. Leech, Mrs. tfre. Walker. The pey, was excellent,

Taylor, Mrs. Dargaville, 1 Hardie, Mrs. Bisphan, and I music, provided by Mr. Im

the band consisting of a piano, clarionet, violin, and violoncello. Mr. Canning provided the refreshments, so, it is needless to say that they were all that could "be desired. With the exception that the gas flickered during a portion of the evening, evei-ything passed oft most satisfactorily, and all those present seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The committee wisely arranged the programme so that the ball came to a close by 2 o'clock

There was a diversity of opinion as to who was the "belle of the ball. Some thought the palm should be given to Miss L T ,who wore a salmon-coloured silk dress, and long black kid gloves, while others thought it should be conferred on Mrs. B , who had on a black eilk dress, trimmed with pale blue satin, silver ribbon, real Spanish point lace, and long white gloves.