ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. HAMILTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 105, 1 May 1875, Page 8

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. HAMILTON.

A valued correspondent in the Waikato forwards us the following graphic report of an entertainment, which, took place in that district on Easter Monday. It -will no doubt be read with interest by many in that locality : — An entertainment in aid of the Catholic Church, Hamilton, was given here on 29th March. All Hamilton, without distinction of creed or class, seemed to be there. It was splendidly patronised. Father Golden' s heart must have been glad indeed, seeing the crowds that rushed to the entertainment got up for his Church. The CVlulle Committee, too, must have been overjoyed, and especi.. Ay Ac il.:.v'ir. Cicary, who was most indefatigable in his exertions to make it -a success. The large hall, Hamilton East, was crowded almost to excess, and all seemed well pleased with the night's enjoyments. Mrs De Quineey, with her usual grace and jability, presided at the piano, and contributed largely to the evening's success. Mr Hugh Harkins, A.C. Force, led with the song, " Juanita." *tMp"H he rendered with marked taste and effect. Later on, b v -a •<= 6t.;6 t.; .io ' an sang, "Erin my Country." Miss Kilkenny via ,; v.sucu Lo " Molly , Darling •" and "Do they think of me at homo/"' -was afterwards splendidly rendered by the same lady. Mr Smyth has a fine clear voice, and the gentleman was quite at home with " The Miller of the Dee." I was glad to see him on the stage a second time — I forget his second song. Miss Sage, who kindly came tip from Alexandra for the occasion, sang, " The Voices of my home," and later in the night, " Janet's Choice," with marked taste and precision. This young lady well merited the repeated encores she got. Mr Mason's sweet and pleasing voice came out well in " Thy voice is near me/ and again in " Come where my love lies dreaming." The beautiful rendering of " The Bridge," by Mr Cox, elicited much applause ; I and Mr Frank Pilling sang " Alice Gray^' nicely, and another song besides. Miss Maggie Kilkenny's " Lilly's Grave" proved her to be a lady amateur of nice culture and good powers. Mr Scott's accompaniment Avas very good. And now a few remarks about the Darkie Troupe. They came to help us from Te Awamutu, and the famous P. Doran, of Auckland, would leap with joy had he been present at their performance. The negro farce entitled, "The Yankee Swindle, or the Statue/ they played so well as to convulse the whole assembly. They were four in number, Forbes, Willonson, and the two Simpsons. G-eorge Wilkinson, I thought, was born a real darkie, and if not, pity he was not. George is rich. ' He is next to being better than a veritable nigger. Mr Forbes, one of IDoran's best disciples, proved himself -worthy of so good a, master. The Simpsons are very promising young minstrels. The song and dance, •' Merry Moke," by Forbes, was greatly admired, and his rendering of this and " The Little High-heeled Boots" called for repeated encores from all parts of the house. Mr Simpson, senior, was excellent in the character of the " Railway Porter," and Mr Simpson, junior, made a statue that appeared dead enough in the "Yankee Swindle." There were recitations besides. Mr "William Mooney gave two splendid ones, "The Downfall of Poland," and '• Shiel's reply to Lord Lyndhurst." The gentleman evinced both art and talent of no ordinary degree. Mr Moore, who is from the swamps, proved that the fire of his youth and native land are not yet extinguished by years and moisture. He danced an Irish jig -well, but he recited ,|the "Buined Cottage" much better. The " Barber of Seville," a good farce, and played by Nigger George and his diamond companions, closed the entertainment. In this farce, the three uninitiated Hamiltonians who came out to Tbe ••shaved," will not, I presume, consent to be "shaved" a second time, even for three free tickets. George gave them the finest lathering and the cleanest shaving I have ever yet witnessed. The " long knife" did good execution on their aching faces. Altogether —the entertainment passed off splendidly, and Easter Monday will "be long remembered by us all. Folks here tell me it was the best ever got up in the Waikato. Be that as ife may, it was good, at all events. And right glad I was to see people of all creeds and ranks ■up here laugh together at an evening's enjoyment. The evening proved two things: the existence 'of local talent, and of kindly feelings in the Waikato.

The art of fattening oysters in artificial beds was first taught by the Bomans, finding-pits being invented about ninety years before Christ. They were first constructed upon the shore of Baiee, and even as early as the reign of Vespasian, the British oyster was deemed famous among the Homans, and thought worthy to be carried into Italy.