Our Illustrations.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume V, Issue 256, 20 June 1895, Page 6

Our Illustrations.

Eight snapshots taken at the recent A.R.C. Meeting will be found in this issue. The clerk of the course Mr Selby and Liberator with Holmes up are the subjects of Nos. 1 and 2 and the lucky contingent claiming their shekels at the dividend windows, and a the betting ring, are show in Nos. 3 and 4. No. 5 shows a sketch of the stand with Mrs W. Bloomfield, Col. Dawson, and Mr H. Gorrie in the foreground, and No. 6 is a representative of a well-known society group on the lawn. Father Walter McDonald whose spiritual (and substantial) comfort is always forthcoming to a jockey who has been “ spilled,” forms our seventh snapshot, and No. 8 shows a well-known fair lady in conversation with Colonel Dawson. “ What will I back ” is evidently an appropriate title to this picture judging by the open race book at which the questioned gentleman is looking. Another picture is the dog White Star (Wild Rose—Miss Kelly), taken with Mr Fox, his trainer, in charge. In addition to winning the June Cup, White Star won the New Lynn Maiden last year, and divided a stake with Mr J. W. Russell’s brindle and white dog, Stormfiend.

Portraits of three members of the Pollard Company will be found on another page, viz., Miss Marion Mitchell, Miss Sissy Sandford, and Master Alf Stephens, and a few words concerning the career of this talented trio of juveniles would doubtless interest our readers. Miss Marion Mitchell was born in Wellington, and a good education, combined with great natural ability and application soon caused her to exhibit such cultivated intelligence as to foreshadow a glorious future for her in the walk of life she had decided upon following. An ardent admirer of the musical art, and a more than usually fine voice, determined her to give attention to the operatic stage, and after a lot of study and instruction she joined Mr Pollard’s Company and made her debut as Mabel in “ The Pirates,” when she scored an unmistakeable success. Since then she has taken the principal roles in either operas and burlesques, one of her finest representations being that of “ Olivette,” and with a voice of wonderful power and sweetness, combined with an attractive stage appearance and clever acting, this young lady shoul I have a bright future before her Miss Sissy Sandford is one of those bright and sparkling little ladies who add the necessary amount of life and piquancy to any comic opera, in contradistinction to the more solid and heavy portions. She is also a native of the Empire City, ancl with her charming voice and vivacious style of acting has installed herself a general favourite with thepublic. Master Alf Stephens is a native of Melbourne, and showing an early aptitude for the stage his parents consented to his joining the liliputians. From the start he was a success, his impersonation of Ko-Ko in “ The Mikado,” and Prince Laurent in “La Mascotte ” stamping him one of Australia’s cleverest juvenile comedians. With a good tenor voice, a good appearance, and marvellous facial expression, this unassuming youth Is certain to reach the top of the tree, and his future will be watched with interest by his many admirers.