THE RICKARDS COMPANY.

Observer, Volume XXII, Issue 50, 30 August 1902, Page 17

THE RICKARDS COMPANY.

THINGS theatrical in Auckland have for so long been at a standstill that the advent of Mr Harry Kickards' new vaudeville company was hailed with delight by theatre-goers. A crowded house greeted the company on the night of its first appearance, and the audience was enthusiastic and demonstrative in its applause. A capital programme, full of variety and attractive items, and abounding in mirth and sparkling humour was presented. • • •

Mr Barney Fagan and Miss Henrietta Byron, in their protean burletta, "The Rehearsal," were very entertaining. Their turn is clever, sparkling with humour, and their dancing, especially a sand-dance by Mr Fagan, fa excellent. Miss Byron s costumes are wonderful, and her remarkably quick changes from one beautiful dress to another are bewildering. Miss Jennie Opie was in excellent voice, and rendered her numbers very pleasingly. She sang "Tell Me," "1 Trust You Still," and "Just as the Daylight was Breaking," and "Coon, Coon, Coon ;" the two latter were given with illustrated effects.

The Jackson Family, four in number, gave a most artistic musical entertainment. First, a quartette consisting of violin, 'cello, piccolo, and piano, played selections from " Mikado," then a mandolin quartette rendered beautifully " Brooklyn Cake Walk," and subfcequently a duet (violin and piano), "Souvenir de Sorrento," and "Scotch Melodies " (banjos, piccolo, drum and fife). As an encore, a lady member of the family gave a piccolo solo,

" The Wren." Derenda and Breen, in their remarkable juggling act with clubs, evoke storms of applause. Mr J. W. Winton and his irrepressible McGinty cause a great deal of amusement. The Clarence sisters, song and dance artistes, give excellent items, and Miss Neva Carr, a young lady with a very pleasing contralto voice, is very successful in her songs, "Memories of Long Ago," "Why Must We Say Good-bye " and " Fiddle and I." At the conclusion of the programme a number of bioscope pictures were, shown. It is announced that for special convenience of orchestral stall patrons arrangements have been made for an exit across the stage at the termination of the performance.

Messrs J. H. S. Brown and Co., patent, indent and commission agents, have on exhibition at their rooms, 266 Queen - street, several very useful articles required in every household, and for which they are agents. These articles are Brown's patent dux siphon, simplex siphon, lightning hot water kettle, vapour baths, filters, etc. Mr Brown is ever pleased to afford an ocular demonstration of the utility of the various articles.

At the conclusion of hostilities in South Africa, 'there were under arms in that country 202,000 men, excluding local forces. Of these 70,000 were then dde to be sent Home. They comprised 2500 men of the Volunteer Service Companies, 7000 oversea colonial troops, 4000 militia landed in 1901, 8000 yeomanry enlisted in 1901, 50,000 reservists of section D, and 12,000»,of the remaining militia battalions. To convey these 70,000 men to their homes, thirty-nine Government transport steamers were engaged. 11 Wet Paint h we often see about, And wisely keep our distance ; Advice like that is good) no doubt, And valuable assistance. But there's one thing more preciou* still Of that you can make sure, By driving off your cough or chill With Woods' Great Peppermint Cure.