ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 853, 12 July 1906, Page 12

ATHLETICS.

On Friday last the Auckland Amateur Boxing Club held their usual weekly exhibition, and some good bouts with the gloves were seen. Barney Donovan and Barker had a spar, and it is evident the latter is very useful. He will be a competitor in the coming big tournament. Stevens and W. Donovan also had a smart three rounds, while Anderson and B. Donovan were well matched in a “ go” of like duration. * * * * The club has unearthed an exceedingly promising lad in Dawson, who is prepared to take on all and sundry at anything like his own weight, but there is no local boy who can face him. On Friday he showed great quickness in a spar with Rogers, who

won the trophy last week. It is probable an effort will be made to make a match with some Southern lad if anyone is prepared to tackle the Aucklander. * * * * To-morrow (Friday) evening there vill be a four-round match between Wakefield and Hunter for a trophy, '.nd this should give rise to a very willing contest. * * * * The English athletic championships were to have taken place on Saturday at Stamford Bridge Grounds, Fulham, London. Australia was to have been represented by Nigel Barker and H. H. Hunter. * * * * In Sydney at the close of the football season a big sports meeting is to be held. Such an event properly carried out here would create a lot of interest.

ctxiu, <*£><XXXJ.. aaA4 Uk ,_». v a .ix. tensely dramatic scene is where the heroine is forced under the Nasmith steam hammer, but is rescued in the nick of time by three men of the oGrdons, who form with lightning speed a veritable ladder of life. Mr. Walter Dalgleish essayed the role of the hero, Lieutenant David Gordon, giving a manly representation of the part, especially in the hospital scene. Mr. Harry Diver, as Fergus Gordon, a treacherous cousin, did well in the role of the cool calculating villain, but how from a Scottish landowner he suddenly came to be a chief among the Afridis is not quite clear. Still me Jodrama abounds with peculiarities of the kind, and the most remarkable happenings are taken as a matter of •course. Mr. Harry Douglas, as Ivan Kartchikoff, was another whose blood was wanted by the “ gods,” and wanted badly, so thorough-paced a scoundrel does the author make him. Mr. Stirling White, did good work as the apoplectic General James Gordon, while Mr. Max Clifton looked every inch a soldier as Colonel McGregor. Mr. Frank Reis was responsible for much of the fun, and in the “fat” part of Sergeant Donald he not only looked the character, but acted extremely well. The three Silvenes not only raised many a laugh, but their acrobatic feats were warmly applauded. Miss Helena Burdette as Olga Sobinsky, a Russian refugee, had a very difficult and trying part, but she did excellently, giving a thoroughly life-like representation of the role. Miss Daisy Strathmore made a very charming Meg Merrilees, the much-wronged fiancee of Donald’s. Miss Maxwell was an instant favour* its as Mary Jane Jolliboy, her love scenes with Sergeant Donald diverting the audience immensely. A clever character study was given by Miss Georgie Leighford as Mother Flint, the make-up being especially good. Little Elsie Silveni . did very well as the deserted child Gordon and many others in a long cast also helped towards the success achieved. The piece was exceedingly well mounted •and staged some of the scees being

possesses a very clear voice which was heard to advantage in the song. Miss Elsie Bates finished off the first half of the programme with a lively serio and dance item, “ Reuben, don’t be Teasing,” that earned applause and a recall. The second half, ushered in by Mr. Crowther’s orchestra, started with a descriptive song by Mr. Walter Anderson that earned applause and a recall. He was followed by Miss Pearl Lovell, who has quite won the hearts of Opera House patrons, and whose specially bright serio items met with prolonged and unstinted applause. Her turn is always full of vivacity and expression, and goes with a great swing throughout. Mr. Carden Wilson, who next appeared, gave some excellent imitations of various well-known actors, in several cases hitting them off to the life, both in voice and gesture. His Howard Vernon in “ Tit Willow” was specially good, as also was his mimicry of Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes. He is certainly a first-class imitator, and his turn was much appreciated by the audience, who applauded him vociferously. The Brady Sisters, Ida and Eva, gave a fine rendering of “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree,” their voices blending very pleasingly, and for which they earned hearty applause. The advent of the Bovis Brothers was the forerunner of prolonged and hearty applause. As before, the two were simply immense in their patter work, and the laughing song by one of the brothers was a very fine piece of work. Their vocal sketch, “ The Masher and thte Irishman,” caused roars of laughter, the affected “ dontcherknow” sort of stroll exhibited by the masher being too funny for work. Miss Elsie Bates next gave a very dainty serio and dance turn, "My Maori Maid” that went well and earned her unstinted applause at the hands of the audience. The evening’s entertainment concluded with Jack Hagan’s version of the comedietta, “ Love in a Tub,” which sent the house off in high good humour. Mr. Fuller, ever on the march with fresh attractions, has still more artists billed to appear at the Opera House on Saturday evening. Among others the first appearance is announced of Antonio and his worldrenowned troupe of performing dogs and monkeys, while Mr. Vai. Newton, an eminent basso, is also due to appear on the same evening.