BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XIX, 4 November 1899, Page 834

BLENHEIM.

Dear' Bee, October 23. The Afro-American Minstrels opened here on Wednesday night, when they had a large and appreciative audience. At noon, on each day of their stay, the band, brought by the Minstrels, l%ssed through the principal streets to Afarket Place, and on the Rotunda there played some lively music. They also played outside the hall in the evenings, as soon as the doors opened, and the crowd thus attracted quite blocked the street. The Company is a large one, and the grouping on the stage, when the curtain rolled up, was very effective. The lady members, in gay attire, occupied seats in the middle of the stage, behind them on raised seats, the band in uniform, and towards the front on either side the black-coated minstrels. Instead of having programmes, each item was announced by one of the ladies. The performance had the charm of novelty, was extremely mirth-provoking, and Black Dante performed some conjuring feats very cleverly. Mr Ernest Hogan is a clever comedian, and his representation of a preacher at a camp meeting was exceedingly good. On the first night Miss Afadah Hyer. the “Bronze Patti,’’ was encored for “Merrily I Roam,” and in response sang “Life’s Dream is O’er,” with Air Saulsbury, who sang from the middle of the hall, which gave, at first, the impression that one of the audience was joining in, but had an excellent effect. Great interest was taken in the “Cake Walk” on the first night, when the cake was taken by New Zealand, though I think that it should have been awarded to South Australia, whose dress of black satin, with, gleams here and there of vermilion was very striking, and dancing graceful. The minstrels had a season of four nights, and a matinee on Saturday, all of which I believe were well attended.

The Afusical Helpers arrived here at the same time, and gave two entertainments in Wesley Hall, which were, I hear, exceedingly good. A merry-go-round, with a steam organ, has taken up a position in the centre of the town, and the insistent, strident notes of the organ are to be heard far and near. A special interest is attached to this particular one, for it is that which a councillor of a little town not far distant, wished to have placed in position to play the National Anthem on the arrival of the Governor. It is needless to say that his wish, was not realised, though it would be quite as consistent to have our loyal sentiments ground out by an organ, as to have our hymns of praise sung by a choir. The Wairan Tennis Club opened their courts on Saturday afternoon, to which the members of the Alarlborough Tennis Club were invited. There was a high wind all the morning, which moderated in the afternoon, and the courts being well sheltered a pleasant time was spent. The President of the Club, Air R. AlcCallum, made a brief speech. Airs R. AlcCallum, who provided the afternoon tea, was assisted by several young ladies in dispensing the dainty refreshments.

A party of nine of the Stoke Rifles, from Nelson, came to fire a match against the Blenheim Rifles, and met at the Butts on Saturday afternoon. The visitors were defeated by 9 points, but it is only fair to say that owing to the high wind, they could not fire at the long ranges, only the 200 and 300 yards ranges were fired over, which may have made a great difference, as they may have excelled at the longer ranges.

FRIDA.