DUNEDIN

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 2, 10 January 1891, Page 12

DUNEDIN

Dear Bee, December 24. Do you think anybody will be able to settle down long enough to read the ladies’ letters in the midst of the season’s gaieties ? On the chance of it I suppose one must be written. All the week we have been running about to school breakings up, seeing young men and maidens made happy, while old men and matrons looked dignified upon the platform. Some very clever speeches were delivered at the Kindergarten school, while the babies chatted and played with one another on the forms, perfectly oblivious to the fact that their better nature was being appealed to, and future greatness being arranged for them. There was a painful air of patronage prevailing, and too pointed allusion to the children being rescued from the gutters, seeing that many of their mothers were present. What leally was nice was the cleanly appearance of the children, and the way they went through their singing and marching exercises, doing the utmost credit to their teachers, who must have exercised the greatest patience to train such tots so. One of their teachers, a German lady, had the kindest of faces, and it was easy to see hers was a work of love. The work exhibited was very good for such mites, who usually at their age can do nothing but get into mischief. The school must be a great boon to those poor women who are obliged to go out all day and work. Each child received a picture book at the close of the proceedings. The breaking up of the High School was a pleasant time this year for the elders too, for the old boys gave a dance in the evening at the Choral Hall, which was decorated in the usual artistic style. Dr. Belcher and Mrs Belcher were host and hostess for the occasion, and among the guests were most of the professors and their wives, and Mr Wilson, M. A., president of the Boys’ High School. The usual dancing people were also there, a list of whose names was given in the ball given to the officers of the Volta, and as there were no particularly striking dresses, I do not think I will weary you. On the same evening the Orchestral Society gave their concert, and a number put in an appearance before going on to the dance, giving the hall an unusually bright appearance, as most of the ladies wore evening dress. For some reason or other we never hear lady vocalists at these concerts lately. Mr W. Houghton and Mr Arthur Hunter were the two Sentiemen. Mr Hunter’s voice sounded well in ‘ A Bedouin’s ove Song. ’ There were not many items on the programme, and each one was, it goes without saying, of a veiy highclass order, but the length of these made the time drag a little to the general audience, although voting papers are given to each, and it is left a choice with the people themselves whether pieces of this description shall be played or no. The flute solo, ‘ The Witches’ Dance,’ by Mr H. Moss, accompanied by Mr A. J. Barth, was a general favourite. The Dunedin Shakespeare Club gave one of their readings a few evenings ago, selections being read from ‘ The Winter’s Tale,’ and ‘Much Ado about Nothing.’ The president, Mr A. Wilson, M. A., occupied the chair, and gave a splendid opening address. The characters were sustained as follows :—Leontes, Mr Hanlon ; Polixenes, Mr Pascoe ; Mamilius, Mr Adams; Camillo, Mr Joel; Antigonus, Mr Wathen ; Lord, Mr Henry ; Attendant, Mr Shaw ; Officer, Mr Borrows; Hermione, Miss Alexander ; Paulina, Miss K. Grant. Mr T. Hunter contributed a song, and Mr Moss a flute solo. ‘ Sigh no More, Ladies,’ a quintette, was taken by Mrs Ross, Misses Marshall and Ross, Messrs Gully and A. Finch. In ‘ Much Ado about Nothing,’ the characters were : Leonato, Mr Borrows ; Borachio, Mr Joel; Conrade, Mr Henry ; Dogberry, Mr Burton ; Verges, Mr Calvert; First Watch, Mr Shaw; Second Watch, Mr Wathen; Sexton, Mr Adams. The Club thought of breaking up some time ago—l think I mentioned the fact—but the press spoke very encouragingly upon the point, and they decided to make a fresh start. ‘ Fun on the Bristol ’ opened at the Princess Theatre, and in the City Hall the phonograph is another attraction. It is the first exhibition of it in Dunedin. Speeches from Gladstone, etc., are reproduced. The ‘ Messiah ’ on Christmas Eve was given in the Garrison Hall, the leader of the orchestra being Mr E. Parker, pianiste, Miss Lily Cameron, and the conductor Mr Arthur Towsey. Mr and Mrs G. Rhodes have returned from the lakes, where they have been spending their honeymoon, and went North by the express. Mrs E. T. Rhodes is at present staving at the Grand with her husband, and her many friends will be glad to hear of her convalesence after her long illness. Mrs and the Misses Stephenson gave a delightful picnic at the waterfalls, at which everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.

MAUDE.