Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1892. THE WANTS OF THE PLAYGOING PUBLIC.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8066, 15 December 1892, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1892. THE WANTS OF THE PLAYGOING PUBLIC.

The fact that the capacious Drill Hall haß during the pusfc three nights been so severely tested as regards its seating capacity and acoustic properties should more than over awake the townspeople to the iact that a new and adequate' theatre is imperatively demanded. Those who .patronised the Walter Bentley performances in the Drill Hall had to sufier some inconvenience owing to the seating accommodation being all on -the ground floor, but this was conterbalanced by the fact of a very large area of space being at tho disposal of patrons of tho play, and ulso of thero boing much bettor ventilation. Tho old cry has been raised again and again that a w.v theatre will not pay, tho contention being that our population does not warrant ' it, and so forth, but surely tho facts brought uuder notice will convince the most sceptical oa that score. { There i 3 no disguising this, that all thf> lost travelling organisations are now on a large scale, the companies not only being numerically strong, but'the'gerformancesin most cases demand great width and 'depth of staging for the proper display of scenic effects. Naturally, too, when these large companies are arranging their tour of the different towns, the matter of seating accommodation is of the first importance to the management, and when it is known that suoh is very limited they cannot be

blamed if, on financial grounds, they give the town the go-by. It is proved beyond doubt that 'Wanganui is one of the best show towns in both islands, and, when we hoar that such and siifJh ft"coini)itny pass through without paying an extended visit, then we must be content to knowthat as regards theatre accommodation we are aadly behind the times.

The Collegiate School prizes will be presented this evening at 730 by Mr S. T. Filzhorbert. During a very tevere Btorin m Central Olago lately, Ewoburn station alono lost about 100 shorn sbeop, At Auckland, Walter Caldwoll, the gumdigger, has succumbod to the injuries received at the fire in his whare. The Hauroto, which arrived at Wellington from Sydney this morning, brought fifty saloon and twenty-six ateerage paaaengers. ' The Hbeaid Orickot Club desire to thank Mr A, Guthno'for a handeorao donation to tho Club, in the ihape of a valuable cricket ball. Mr K. E. Madden, of Auckland has been adjudged guilty of contempt in practising as a barrister and molioitor without payiug his fees, and fined £25. The fourth compotition for Lioutenant Hughes' clock tales place at flvo o'clock tomoriow morning, the handicaps being the same as last Mr Buick, M.H.E., addressed his constituents at Blenheim last night, a largo attendauce being present. A unanimous vote of thanks and confidence was carried.

Tho Otago Times roports that thero has lately been established at Peliohet Bay a clay pipe manufactory, whiob, though small und unpretentious, may grow into something big if adequately supported.

Tho members of the New Plymouth Borough Council rocently defrayed tbo coot of entertaining His Excellency the Governor as he patsed through by a voluntary contribution of 8s Gd'each.

Captain Edwin wires at 1.10 p.m. — North to west and southwest heavy gale, with heavy rain and Tory heavy soa after twelve hours from now. Glass fall coon. Indications for very high tides.

The Minister for. Public Works proposos to ask Dr Lemon to furnish a report with a viow of having the Parliamentary Library and Departmental building lit by eloctricity,

An Auckland wire states that much uncertainty still prevails as to whether St. Hippo will etnrfc for tho Auckland Oup and tho party behind the St. Loger colt is understood to havo not yet dotormined the question.

Serges nt-Major Anderson received a, wire to day from Constable Coylc, stationed at Bulls, to the effect that a man named Juincs Bromley, was killed at Scott's Forry last night by a dray loaded with flax going over him in the Foxton District.

_ At tho annual dinner of tho Old Boys of tho Otago High School, referonce was mado by some of the speakers to the systems of education not doyetailing into each other, and tho remedy suggested was that education should bo froo, from the University downwards. i . , Tho modified proposal of the Midland Railway Company, now in the hands of tho company, consist in the proposition that the Government should give £850,000 in bonds for the land grant and a guarantee of three per oeutunrona loan of £260.000 to oomplete the work. The Wauganui Chess and Draughts Club will inaugurate the opening of their new room in the Borough Counoil Chambers to night with a cheas match between tho mombere, sides to bo chosen at 7.30 o'clock. Visitors and intending membors aro cordially invited to attend.

Mr Darling left Lyttolton by afternoon train to-dny tor Morton to meet tho committee which was appointed there to forward the movemont for tho establishment of butter industry on tho creamery system. Mr Darling will bo in Halcombe to-morrow evening to meet the settlors thoro. Mr R. Linton will bo in tho chair.

Mr W. Hogg has an advertisement in this issue thunling bis customers for tho liberal support accorded, him id tho past, and soliciting a concinu .nco of it. , As heretofore his confeolionery goods are made of the purest ingredients, and all descriptions, including specially mado cakes for the festive season, ' • are now on hand. Further particulars may be seen in anothor column.

That extraordinary combination of coloured musical talent, the Jubiloo Singers, open an tho Oddfellows' Hall to-morrow evening, when a popular and high-claBS programme, comprising some rich musical gems, will bo presonted. There will be an entire change of programme on Saturday evening, and as only tho two performances can ho given no time should ho lost in booking seats with Messrs H. I. Jones and Son.

An excellent entertainment is promised for this evening in St. Paul's Hall in connection with the annual distribution of prizoa and certificates to tbo scholars at the Boys' and Girls' Schools. Tho programme will include vocal and instrumental music, dialogues, recitations, etc., by the pupils, and the entertainment, which is in aid of the prize fuqd, should prove moat enjoyable. Members of the School Committee meet at 7 p.m. \

„ ■ • i \ The ' casts add models for the Technical School aro oxpected during tho present month from England. Tbo school has only been opened twelve weeks, but during that time there hate been over ooa hundred students, and the work performed by them has been moat satisfactory. The school closos on Saturday for the summer vacation of six weeks, during which time / the casts will be placed in position for noil/ during next torm, whon, we understand, the number of students will be considerably inoroased.

Mr Holden, conductor of the Harmonic Olub, was last evening the recipient of a puree of sovereigns from the members, as a token of appreciation in which he id held. The presentation was mudo by Mr H. Li Nicholas (vice-president) who paid flattering tribute to the ability and enorgy shown by Mr Holdon in conducting the club's Into successful production of "Elijah." The occasion ot tho presentation was a social amongst the membors, which proved very enjoyable. Practice will bs resumed on 17th January.

Mr Wain, a resident of forty yoars in Dunedin, and twelvo curs connected with tho Firo Brigade, of tho timo aa captain, left by train this morning for his liouuj after a tour of Australia. During lus. stay hura ho was shown round tho looal Firo Brigade Station and tower by Captain Forry, and oiprossod himsolf as highly pleased with the plunt. Mr Wain, who is an ex-publican, was accompanied by hu son and daughter:

Considerable enthuciasm is boing shown by the competitors in practising for tho forthcoming five-men compotition in connection with the Fire Brigade and an excellent contest is looked for. Tho competition takes place at 3 o'clook on Saturday aftornooa in Plymouth-street near tho Mnsonio Hotel, this place having boon doculod ou so an to giro people residing in thut vicinity an opportunity of Booing tho Brigade ro through eoino practical ivork. Two alterations have been compelled owing to accidents Assistmt-Foreman MoGonagle taking the place ;of Foreman Sharpo, and dipt. Ferry has takou Connell's placo rulhor than allow the team to bo brokon up.

; Tlio Collegiato School ground was ocou' pied yesterday afternoon with an interest ing criokot inakoh between the Bentley Company and tho School team, the latter winning on tho fisst innings by 47 runs. Following five the scores :— Bontley Compuny (Ist innings), H. Hill, 0 ; R.Greville, 0; T. Boater, 10; W. Bentley, 6; Dr Suunders, 0; ChumbrrUin, 2 ; C. Field, 11; 8. Powell, 2 • H. R. BoWrtj, 2 ; Rowley, 5; B England. 1 ; extras, 6 ; total, 44. College: Duncan, 1 ; Marshall, 1 ; Cay, 8 ; Hewitt, 6; Jacob, 34 j HadfieU, 6; Willis, 16; Atkinson, ma, 18; Cave, 6 ; Atkinson, mi, 0; BniliO,Bi extras,7; total, 9l. Bentley Company (2nd inninga) : H. Hill, 0; Dr \ Siitinacru, 7 ; T. Foster, 27 j W. Bentley 8; B. Greville, 0; 0- Field. llj-Chiipberiain, 8; Roberts, 11 ; total (or eight wickets, C 2.