TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 30, 16 November 1888, Page 7

TIMARU.

("Prom our own Correspondent.)

The cattle show and races have come and gone. The country visitors have done likewise, and Timaru is"as jou were." During the carnival week crowds of visitors flocked in from the surrounding districts and the accommodai ion vendors were hard pressed for room. The weather on the first or judge's day of the cattle shew seemed very thiea'eniDg, but luckily the clerk cf the weather had mercy on the holiday-makers, the second day of the snow being all that could be desired. The exhibits were quite as numerous as heretofore, a special shed being Bet apart for local productions, such as jam- 1 , jellies, sauces, bacon", butter, cheese, etc. An improvement could bo made in having more judges for the exhibits mentioned, as it is almost impossible for anyone to retain a keen sense of taste and smell after going through the ordeal of tasting such a variety of exhibits, it would be fairer to exhibitors, and judges would be less liable to a subsequert bilious attack.

The races made things remarkably lively and some lively visitors, in the shape of about a hundred spielers, who came to " do " the races, added in many instances to the general liveliness.

During the week visitors were afforded many means of getting rid of any spare cash saved from the totalisator. An amateur dramatic club produced " The S'eeplechase " at the Theatre Royal in aid of the Soath Canterbury Hunt Club, though I cannot understand why a club possessing amongst its memberH some of the <vealtbiest people of tbo community should have to appeal to the plebeian public for support.

Another gentle species of entertainment was a price fight. It is remarkable to observe how gullible the cute British public are in instances of this sort, Two men agree to pummel each other for a certain sum, the public being invited to attend. A small donation is, of course, charged at the door. The spielers back their man heavily, even when to all appearances he is beaten. His opponent (who is to Jose), seeing no prospect of being beaten ''fairly," embraces tbe individual who Dossetsjs the confidence of the spielers, and while in this position pummels away to his heart's content. The referee cries " foul," the blows are continued, and on the strength of this the fight is given to the beaten man, who, by some singular luck, is tha man on whom the knowing ones had their money. This happen* to-day, and is successfully repeated tc-morrow, the losers in all cases being the cute British public, and the gainers the blacklegs and spielers who follow up these disgusting exhibitions.

An enter' ainment in snd of Saint Patrick's Brass Bind was held on Thursday evening, November 8. A heavy rain tell during the day, but this did not seem to affect the at) c ldance in any way, as when the furtain rose after the overture the performers were gteeted by a wellfilled home. The Hibernian Amateur Minstrel Tioupe opened the business with a chor is, " Climbing up the Golden Stairs," and in this, as well as in the other items reudertd by Ihe minstrels, they had to respond to enthusiastic tncort p. Ihe songs were - n every instanci capitally rendered, the bye-play oE tne corner men, Messrs. Callou and Carey, considerably provoking the risible tendencies ot the audience. The conundrums and jokes which included several local hita literally brought down the house. When the curtain dropped the audteoci proved their appreciation ol the efforts of the minstrels, by insisting on having anoiher look at their tlack faces. The second pait ot the entertainment consisted of vocal and ins'rumental items, aud was commenced with a nesjro eccentricity entitled " The Kitchen Band " by members of the troupe. The baud was in charge of Mr. Head who made his men stnko attitudes that would puzzle mauy a mure expeiienced military commander. Miss Beattie fctevensou next rendered the song'- We'll all go a-hunting to-day," in characttr. This little lady is a great iavounteand justly earned the encore she received. ilr. Crosbie who was io, capital voice followed with" Erin my Co'intiy." In the next item Miss Conway made her debut to a Timaru audience by singing "A dream within a dream. This song, which was undoubtedly the gem ot the evening, showed Miss Conway 's pure and powerful soprano voice to gro>at advantage, and evoked loud applause. As an encore she sweetly saog "Yea or Nay,' with equal success. Mr. Ryan had to re-ippear in the sailor's hornpipe ; as also had Miss McKenna, afier tastefully rendering •• We'd better bide a wee. ' Of the gentleman singers, Mr. Head certainly carried off the palm in his singing " The old lr g cabin " in character. He had to repeat ibe last verse to ODe of the most enthusiastic encores of the evening. Mr J. McGumness sang " True till Death," and " I'll conquer or die/ in his best style, and Mr. Callon rendered •• uathermg up ihe shells from the sea shore," with banjo accompaniment, for which he was loudly encored. In r ply he gave ihe audience such a medlty of comicalities that there whs not a serious face in thj room. A song and dance by Messrs. Ryan arid Carey, entitled "Sweet Cameua May, 1 ' brought the second part to a happy termination. Ihe entertainment concluded with the negro faice "Out of Place," m which parts were taken by Messrs. Head, Callou, Curoy, Kmny, and M^Ktnna. Each peiformur went through his part cmfully and well, MesbiP. Head and Carey being specially good. Tue absurdi'us of the farce kept the house in roars of laughter aud sent everybody home iv high bpirits, aud, I have no doubt, with the impression that they had more than value for their money. The performance was repeated onFiiday evening and went switnniirgiy from start to finish. A word of praise U due to Messrs. Carey, Head, and M'Kenna for the manner in which they worked to make the conc-rt a success, and in a sptcial manner to Mr. Crewi s, w Iv presided at tue piano, and who had nonnah t«s,k in "coaching" theminbtnls, asm many cases I ehaUo woik upon the "law material." 1 heoichtstracontufUeUot Messrs. M'Uanby Jbt violin; Smitt, 2jJ violiu ; Haifcb, cornet ; aud Crews, piauo ,

wh) very Lttuily £iv thfir service cria'uitimsly. On tbe whole the concert wos v marked success ami reflects great credit on the management.

A meeting of the parishioners is to take place on next Sunday after 6econd Mass fir the purpose of deciding the date on which the children's annual treat will be held. It is to be hoped that a public holiday will be decided upon, as it will afford many of the parents an opporcunity of oeing present who could uot possibly do so on a working-day.

A meeting of the Altar Societyjtakes place on the same d«y at 4 p.m., at which all members were requested to attend. The collect.on for the School Fuad was held on Sunday, the 4th, and continued on the llih inst. The School Committee meet on Tuetday evening, when the collectors will receive the names of those who have omitted to subscribe.

A much-needed day's rain fell on Thursday and has made the country look fresh and green again. The rain ceased during the night and the weather now seems to have settled down fine.