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New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue V, 30 July 1898, Page 148

On page 136 we give a picture of Messrs A. Ha.trick and Co.’s stem paddle steamer Manuwai, as she recently appeared on the occasion of an excursion trip up the Wanganui River. There were no fewer than 400 persons on board at the time represented, a large number to accommodate on board a vessel which from the nature of the river must be very shallow in the draught. At present there are three steamers of different, dimensions available for passenger traffic on the Wanganui, and year by year as the unique beauty of the river becomes better known the demand for transportation facilities increases. Among the most comfortable of tea and luncheon rooms in Auckland are the Ranfurly, conducted by Misses Hickson and Collas. These ladies have recently gone into new premises a few doors below the place which they occupied before in Queen-street. The new rooms are more retired than the old ones and much cosier, while there is a marked enlargement in the variety of the menu.

Mr William Perrier deserves great praise for his excellent production of his original opera ‘Natisha’ in Auckland this week. The work is entertaining and full of catchy music,while the ballets and stage business are very clever. The marvel is that Mr Perrier could in so short a time as was at his disposal have trained the company to the standard of excellence they have attained. With the exception of his own daughter, Phyllis Perrier, who is a little marvel in her way, none of those who took part in the performance can be said to have had any experience on the stage till Mr Perrier took them in hand. The opera has been performed on two consecutive nights, and if succeeding representations continue to show as marked improvement as the second performance did on the first, the piece should be good for a successful run through New Zealand.

On Monday evening the Auckland Liederkranz gave the first concert of the present season. Several members of the Auckland Liedertafel Society contributed to strengthen the choral work, in which some 70 singers took part. An interesting programme was rehearsed, including Rossini's ‘Carnoviile,’ Cusin’s ‘Venetian Boat Song,’ Longhurst’s chorus ‘The Bells they are Ringing,’ Mendelssohn's ‘Ave Maria,’ Bishop’s ‘Chough and Crow' chorus, and Pinsuti’s ‘Good-night, Beloved.’ The soloists of the evening were Madame Chambers, Miss Aylett, Mr A. L. Edwards, Mr M. Keesing, Mr Chas. Kissling. while Mr C. Towsey contributed a piano solo. ‘Autoinne,’ and Mr lunes gave Wallich’s ‘Andante and I’olaeca’ on the flute. Mr A. Towsey conducted. The stage arrangements, which were carried out on the designs of Mrs Alfred Nathan, were very beautiful, there being n wealth of greenery anil flowers.