DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 36, 6 September 1890, Page 12

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, August 29. I did not write last week for there was really nothing to write About, but in the interval we have had quite a lively time in a public way. To begin at the end, there was a most successful entertainment in the City Hall in aid of the St. Mathew's and St. Andrew’s Dorcas Society. As those who took part were society ladies and gentlemen, the result was houses packed to the doors each night. The first part was devoted to tubteau.c circuits, with songs descriptive of each tableau. The iiist was ‘ Before the Honeymoon,’ representing the bride in the person of Miss Gibson, looking charming in a stone grey gown simply made with a quaint fichu of white muslin, with long ends falling to the hem of the skirt. Mr G. Sievewright was the bridegroom, looking well in a cricketing jacket, and beaming with amiability in the act of presenting the lady with a very handsome necklet. ‘ After the Honeymoon ’ represented the saint* pair under less favourable circumstances; the young wife wearing a dust cloak that was the envy of every lady in the room. It was composed of cream cashmere, with long sleeves lined with pea green silk, and pretty shoulder capes adding to the style. Before her were two Loxes, one from Brown Ewings, the other a millinery box from the D. 1.C., from which she was in the act of lifting a lively hat, while the indignant husband stood near angrily showing his contemptuous spouse a long bill. ‘The National Game’ followed, showing three lady cricketers in effective cricketing costume, Miss Maiy Williams wearing red, Miss Webster and Miss Kate Rattray, on the winning side, in blue with light jackets. Mr Pascoe followed with a song, then came the tableau, ‘ Where aie you going to, my pretty Maid?’ in the old version, sung, of course, while the scene was displayed. Mr C. Maitland, in the dress of the olden time, was asking the question of Miss G. Rattray, in quaint milkmaid dress, bucket ami all. She acted ’her part so well that she was honoured with a bouquet. The second version, or rather modern version, represented Miss Fitchett in university gown ami cap, while Mr G. Sievewright asked the question, the answer to which was, ‘Going to lecture, sir, she said.' ‘ And what is the subject, my pretty maid ?' ‘ The total extinction of man, she said.' ‘ Then I cannot marry you. my pretty maid.’ ‘ Superior women don’t marry, she said? There was much laughter at his rendering of the old song, but it must have been soothing to those whom ‘ nobody axed. ‘ The girl I left behind me,’ was another pretty tableaux. Mr Chamberlin, attired as a Red Cross Knight, with long cloak and all complete, was in the act of saying farewell to Miss Ethel Jones, who, attired in a (plaint red dress, looked splendid, for she threw so much dramatic expression into her fact* and attitude*. The second part was remarkably {effective, showing a batt le-lield at night with limelight (‘fleets, and tin* lover lying dying while the lady (in long cloak) searches for him. ‘I could be happy with either, wen* the other dear charmer away,' was not so effective. Mr (’. Maitland, as an old English gentleman (modern young men don't do such things), was making himself most fascinating to a lady on either side of Inin. Miss Henriques was one, and Miss Reynolds the other. Both ladies looked very well, Miss Rey nolds remarkably so, wearing a gown of black velvet with

Venetian point lace ; Miss Henriques’s gown was veil. Both ladies wore large plumed hats with powdered hair. Another represented fairies and the three godesses—Venus, Juno, and Minerva, who were represented by Miss Daisy Ross as Venus, in robe of pale blue, looking lovely, Miss McLaren and Miss Sievewright. ‘ The three Old Maids of Lee ’ followed. The dresses were exceptionally handsome. ‘ Home they brought her warrior dead ’ was effectively represented by Misses McLaren, Turton, Maitland, Neil, Williams, A. Rattray, and Mrs Woodhouse, all beautifully attired. The second part consisted of thecomedietta ‘ Withered Leaves,’ in which Mr C. Rattray distinguished himself in the part of Toni Conyers. Messrs Stilling, N. Sievewright, ami Mr W. E. Reynolds were also very successful. Mrs Mackenzie was May Rivers, and Miss 1. Cargill forgot her own identity as Lady Conyers. Mr Arthur Towsey acted as musical conductor ami accompanist, and during the evening Mrs Israel sang’ with great sweetness, Mr Pascoe and Mr Densem also giving their services. The preceding evening the Orchestral Society gave their second concert of the third series, which was, as usual, a musical feast, Mr J. Coombs as conductor. Strauss’ waltz, ‘ AV ein Weil ami Gesang,’ the overture, ‘ The Mistress,’ and Mercandante’s ‘La Vestale,’ were among the favourite selections. Mrs Williams (attired in black lace) was the only- lady vocalist, and was encored for a very sweet rendering of ‘ Imperfectus.’ Mr H. S. Beiiwell sang ‘Ohl Madrid’ capitally. Mr AV. H. Corrigan gave a clarionet solo, which was beautifully played. Among those present I noticed Mrs and the Misses Reynolds, MrsG. L. Denniston. Mrs and the Misses Sise, Mrs J. R. Jones and Miss Ethel Jones, Mrs Spring, Mrs and the Misses Rattray', Madame and Miss Fodor, Mrs Martin, Mrs John Roberts, Miss Amy Roberts, Miss Livingstone, Mrs and Miss Muir, Miss Monkman, Mis Ritchie, Mrs C. R. Chapman, Mrs and Miss Hales, Mrs ami Miss Alexander, Mrs and Miss Kempthorne, Mrs and Miss Ross, Miss Marshall, Mrs Finch, Mis Henriques, Miss Bird, Mrs Whitson, sen., Mrs David Mills, Mrs A. A. Finch, Mrs John McLean, Mrs and the Misses Driver, Mrs and Miss Gibson, Misses Williams (2), Mrs Israel, Miss Jago, Madame Squarise, Mrs Jefleott, Mrs H. Williams, Mrs Batchelor, Mrs Wills, Mrs and the Misses Spence, Mrs Lindo Ferguson, Mrs and the Misses Mackerras, Mrs Hocken, Mrs Holmes, Mrs Robert Wilson, Mrs Theomin, Mrs Hart, Mis Isaacs, Mrs Hallenstein, Miss Reeves, Mrs Sinclair Thomson. The dresses were not full evening dress, but there was a good sprinkling of demi-toilets.

Mr Oscar Ward has opened the long-closed Palace Kink under the name of the ‘Olympic.’ It is handsomely fitted up with gymnastic bars, etc. ; classes for both sexes'will be held here. A number of young men pupils gave performances, but perhaps the most generally interesting event of the evening was the opening procession, which, headed by the famous ‘ Joe Scott ’ (who wore the handsome championship belt which he won in England a year or two ago), was formed of various athletics in their characteristic dress, footballers, cricketers, pedestrians, rowing men, walkers, etc., etc., making quite an effective display.

Maude.