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Observer, Volume XI, Issue 780, 16 December 1893, Page 8

All the rage amongst the men just now is the knock-about Buit which is a splendid thing for summer wear. Mr E. C. Browne is making dozens, aye even hundreds, from good serviceable tweed at 30s each.

Bris's Minstrels bas been the attraction at the Opera House since last Saturday evening, and judging by the large downstairs houses that have as*, sembled night after night it is a strongattraction of its kind. The company includes some capital variety talent. It is not a strong company numerically, and yet it provides a rattling good programme and everything goes with a degree of snap that is pleasing. All the artistes work very well together.

The first part is prettily arranged, and introduces some fourteen charmingly dressed girls, an interlocutor, four corner men, and one or two other male performers. It is a good first part. There is some very fair ballad singing, some excellent songs and dances, and a great many jo es which sound freeh, even if they are not. And that is all the same. Misses De roy and Lynne, two dainty misses in terra cotta muslin wih yellow ribbons, are the favourites. They dance excellently, and sing very nioely, and their several items are greatly appreciated. There are three first-class ' comic ' men in Messrs Mooney, Crawford and Stowe, while we need say nothing of Ohas. Hugo. Everyone knows him. Crawford - and Mooney are really extraordinary in their high-kicking performances. Miss Ida Holbein is the soprano and Miss Polly Robertson the alfco of the company, and both siner very acceptably, the latter also being good in her Tyrolese jodelling speciality. Mr Moore was scarcely a success in his tenor ballads, but it was explained that he was suffering from a severely-ulcer-ated throat.

The second part introduces some pleasing turns, and the whole performance winds up with a laughable farce. It is a programme that will amuse any audience, and amusunent is what people require most in these days. It is worth something to emoy a good laugh. The prices are low, and the Empire Minttrels are very well entitled to the success that is attending their performances.

We are likely to be deluged with shows from the other side early nest year. The following are announced to come — Brough and Boueicault's Comedy Company, Howe's Dramatic Company, MontagueTurner Opera Company, Frank i hornton with ' Charley's Aunt ' and the evergreen ' Private Secretary,' Charles Arnold with ' Hans the Boatman ' and ' Captain Fritz/ Williamson and Musgrove's Eoyal Opera Company, Fillis' Circus— and others.

Mr Walter Howe, who is bringing 1 round a dramatic company next year, commencing at Dunedin on the 17th February, will produce ' The Harbour Lights ' with entirely new Bcenery painted by the well-known Mr Spong. Miss Hilda Spong, daughter of Mr Spong (who is Mr Howe's partner in the venture) is to be the leading lady. She is reputed one of the youngest and prettiest of leading ladies in the colonies.

The Montague-Tamers are again to visit New Zealand. Unless they bring some new operas and a stronger company they will most assuredly experience a nipping ' frost.' Mew Zealand audiences are tolerant, but they are not likely to extend muoh patronage to such a company with such poor scenery, dresses, &c , as visited us under the same name eighteen months ago.

The Town Clerk issues a notice to water consumers.

Tenders- invited for stock-in-trade and book-debts in assigned estate of L. W. McGlashan and Co. . .