AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS. ETC

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11637, 15 August 1905, Page 7

AMUSEMENTS, MEETINGS. ETC

WEST'S PICTURES AND 1 THE

BRiTSCIANS.

THE UNSEEN WORLD.

Whilst Mr West's entertainment, which opens in the Opera l^puse on Thursday evening, is said to be replete with spectacular scenes of brilliant colour and absorbing topical interest, together with pictures bubbling over with healthy -merriment, which will act as a tonic to the. average work-a-day mortal, there is one feature which will appeal to the 1 thoughtful and educated, who will especially appreciate the novel scientific side of this unique performance. By the aid of/ the microcamera the minutest ways of Nature's wonderful workshop are explored, and exhibited in highly magnified proportions ' of ordinary sigiit; indeed; a hitherto .unseen world is presented to the public. The daily life of the democratic busy bee, with its marvellous industry; the actual growth of plant life, with the upward rush of the ascending sap; the blood circulating through the living artery of -a frog; the cheese mites at work and play; these and many other wonders will loom largely in the public gaze through West's, scientific searchlight, and form object lessons in Nature study of memorable value. West's Pictures and the Brescians are a veritable marriage of the senses, delightful and astonishing — pictorial symphonies captivate the eye, wJiilst the musical harmonies charm the ear.

"THE REAL S f OUTH AFRICA."

A large audience was present at Trinity Wesleyan schoolroom last evening to listen to the lecture on "The Real South Africa" by the Rev. J. R. Flynn Anderson, lato chaplain, of H.M. Forces, and now o£ tho South African Railway Mission. The lecture, which was illustrated by a really splendid series of lantern slides, proved of a most instructive as well as interesting character, and was followed with marked attention by those present. The reverend gentleman, who was introduced to his audience Jby his Worship the Mayor, gave a lucid and chatty description of the great country which has so recently come under the British flag, and of the events in the making of the future South African Confederation, together with an excellent account of the conditions of life existing there to-day. Starting from Durban, he took his hearers in imagination through the Garden Colony of Natal, thrfcugh the Transvaal and Standerton, thence across Swaziland, and to Delagoa Bay, from there back to Johannesburg and through Rhodesia, and finally through the Orange River Colony to Capetown. In the course of his remarks, Mr Anderson referred. to tho great benefit conferred on the country by artosian boring. Water was always to bo struck, and the dry looking veldt was changed in a marvellous fashion, where this had been done. Mr Anderson strongly denounced the introduction into the country- of Chinese coolies, whom ~he characterised as the scum of the East, who. had no right to be in the Transvail at all. Their introduction was an injustice to the blacks, who as British subejetsj had a right to be considered, and who should therefore be employed in the mines in preference to Chinese. A very interesting description of the gold mines on the Rand and the diamond fields of Kimberley was given, the lecturer explaining very clearly the various methods employed. The feverish life of Johannesburg, with its stock market, gambling, and pleasureseeking was also touched on, and a striking contrast was shown between its present magnificence and its pioneer state. Many scenes made famous in the war were shown, and many incidents,' humorous and tragic, were related by the lepturer, who kept his audience fully interested from first to last.

A rehearsal of "My Sweetheart" will be held at Sherriff's Studio to-night. All are requested to attend.

A special meeting of the T.Y.M.I. General Committee will be held this evening at 9 o'clock. ,The Executive Committee will meet at 8 o'clock sharp.

Members of the Baptist Young Men's Society are reminded of the usual meeting to-night at 7.30. As business of the utmost importance is to be transacted, a full attendance is requested.

Members of the Boys'. Empire League are notified that tho usual weekly meeting, which 'was to have been held to-night, has been postponed till Thursday, in the Fire Brigade Hall. All members of the League's Thursday football team are requested to roll up to-night at 7 o'clock at the corner of Glasgow and Keith Street for a meeting and practice.

Great interest is being taken in the concert to be held in the Okoia Public Hall next Friday, the 18th instant, the programme will consist of songs, recitations, mandoline and violin duets, character sketches, conjuring and illusions, and, a musical dialogue. Given fine weather a most enjoyable evening's amusement is assured. The price of admission is only Is and tip. brake fare Is. •