WAIPUKURAU.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XVIII, Issue 3106, 31 July 1894, Page 3

WAIPUKURAU.

(OWN CORRESPONDENT.}

An old identity, Groorge Brownley, passed away at 6.15 this morning, the cause of death being congestion of the lunge. The deceased had been billiard marker for Mr Gow for many years, by whom he was held in high esteem. The deceased was a well-known character in Waipnkurau, even the smallest children being familiar with “old George.” Everything that conld be done in the way of medical aid and careful nursing, was resorted to without avail and deceased gradually sank until his death this morning. Some days prior to his death Mr Brownley made his will leaving all his belongings to the District Hospital. The entertainment for our local hospital promises to be the greatest success of the year. The management is sparing no pains to secure the very best talent in the province, and their efforts are likely to culminate in a peformacce snob as has not been our lot to witness for some time. Rehearsals for the comedy are now in fall blast, and every one connected is putting hia or her Bhoulder to the wheel to bring the show to a successful climax. The piece chosen by the dramatic element is J. H Byron’s “ Uncle,” perhaps the gem of all the many plays written by that successful dramatist That the play loses nothing in the capable hands to whom the various parts have been cast, was manifested by the rehearsal of Friday last. Tlio play abounds in dramatic and comic (situations, while the dialogue is bright and sparkling, and the repartee most mirth-provoking, all tho points being brought out faithfully by the artists who have the comedy iu hand in this particular instance ; and I should advise all those who attend on the night of tho performance to look to it that their buttons are well sewn on, as those nseful appendages are likely to have a fearful responsibility imposed upon them. That the dramatic part of the entertainment will go smoothly and well last Friday’s rehearsal will vouch for, while for the concert when it is known that Messrs G. H. Swan, E. Hosking, I. Longhnan, and the Misses St. Hill, besides other talented performers from down the country are taking part ; that portion of the programme must be perfect. A full stringed orohestra is to be presided over by Mr Loughonu, of yonr town, whose name in matters musical is truly one to conjure with. The ladies in charge of the commissariat are meeting with every success, and with the weli-known floor of our Town Hall combined with Misß Maney’s playing and the efficient gentlemen to whom too management of the dance has been entrusted should ensure to all lovers of dancing an event to which they will always be able to look back on with pleasurable feelings. Mr Sterry, our energetic saddler, is fol lowing Mr Buchanan’s example and is having hia shop brought out to the edge of the footpath over which he is going to have a verandah erected ; Mr Condie has the contract in band. Oar school which has been closed since last Tuesday, owing to tho influeDza epidemic which had attacked Mrs Anderson, Mr Cook, some of the pupil teachers, and many scholars, was opened again yesterday. Influenza has been very prevalent here during the last few weeks, hardly a house in the town having been free from it, but fortunately there have been no serious cases. I think the worst is over.