National Oddfellows' Picnic.

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 952, 27 March 1897, Page 16

National Oddfellows' Picnic.

The Pollard Opera Co. have closed a most profitable season at the Opera House, and departed elsewhere. ' Falka,' which was performed for the first time in Auckland, ran for three nights and was the bonne boucke of che season. It is lull of bright and fanciful costumes, striking sctuery, droll characters and funny situations, sparkles with light wit and broad humour, and is gay with lively music. Miss May Beatty as Falka, Miss Maud Beatty as the Gipsy Chief, Mr Alf Stephens as Pelican, the convent janitor (hia best characterisation), and Mr Nable as Baron Folbach are Been at their best, and the piece went like a house a- fire from start to fioish.

On the last night of the seaeon Mr Grattan Biggß took a benefit and was honoured with a house filled to excess. ' Ii.M.S Pinafore ' was the piece de resistance, and was followed by ' Handy Andy.' with Mr Riggs in the title role.

The second of Mr P. R. Dixs series of popular concerts took place in the City Hall on Monday night. It was a thronged house, and the audience were highly appreciative. All the performers were recalled. Songs were contributed by Miss Carrie Knight, Miss T. A. Hargrave, Mr Archdale Tayler and Mr Henry Schatz, while Miss Eva Bullen recited, and Mr Wynyard Joss performed in first class atyle several selections on the Mandolin. The exhibition of animated pictures by means of Messrs Mackie and Company s cinematographe provoked quite a storm of applause. It is a splendid instrument, and the views produced by it are the most successful and realistic yet shown in Auckland. Mr Dixs ' Monday Pops ' promise to be quite the vogue.

It was a lover's tiff, all on account of soine favour shown to another damsel. That is why, on coming out of St. Sepalcbre'B Church on Sunday night, she handed to him a rather bulky package, and sternly said, ' Now that our engagement is off, Jack, I wish to return you everything you ever gave me.' But he was quite equal to the emergency. ' Thanks, dear,' he said, ' let us, however, begin with the kisses.' He got them all right before they reached her father's gate, and now the engagement is on once more. He has sworn not to speak to the other girl again without permission.

The champion absent-minded man has just turned up at Hikurangi, near Whangarei. One day last week he strolled np to the post-office while the usual crowd were waiting for their letters to be sorted. He was sleepy -looking and heavy-ejed, and had a look of meek resignation on his face such as family men usually wear during the teething of their latest. He leaned wearily against the door and the crowd looked at him. Then a titter went through them as they discovered the indiarubber end of a feeding bottle, commonly called a 1 soother ' or ' fraud,' hanging from his watch fob. 'Up late last night, George ?' asked a sympathising bystander. ' Yes, worse luck,' he wearily said. ' Say, George, what's the time ?' inquired another joker. George looked hurriedly at his waistcoat, and as the crowd roared with laughter' he exclaimed : ' Great Scott ! I thought it was my watch chain 1' and forthwith led.