TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 2, 28 October 1892, Page 15

TI M AR U.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) In my last letter I sent you a description of a social given by the Aloysian Society to the members of tbe other sodalities in the parish. On Thursday last, the 20th October, the Children of Mary gave a return social to the Aloysiaos, and a most enjoyable and pleasant evening was spent by all. The members of the congregation, other than the sodalities, were charged a small fee for admission, with tbe result that a crowded house awaited the commencement of an interesting programme. This is the first open entertainment given in the girls' schoolroom since the recent additions to the building, and many were pleasingly surprised at the increased accomodation and tbe substantial improvement made. The programme consisted of a number of tableaux vivanU, interspersed with short comedy sketches, mus'cal items (vocal ana instrumental), and recitations. The first it«m was the tableau " Drifting with the current," successfully pourtrayed, and was followed by a piano solo played creditably by Miss M. Vanning, who also rendered the recitation " Oar Lady, Refuge of sinners "in good style later on The tableau " PulliDg against the ■tream " was the next item, wherein two angels were represented as pulling against two black gentlemen with horns and other appendages suggestive of sulphur and brimstone. The object of the pull is • wavering Binner in the centre. His fate seemed rather uncertain, ' but as the black fellows didn't pull very well together, it is to be hoped he was drawn the right way. " Pancratius " a recitation waß next rendered by Miss A. M'Gowao, who also recited " Erin's Flag." Both recitations were well Tendered— tbe latter especially— and were loudly applauded. " Take me home " was next rendered by Misses Blake and Griffin with a full chorus. The first item to provoke the risible faculties of tbe audience was " Tbe three old maids of Lee," by Misses Healey, Gardner and Donovan. If the original old maids were anything like the representation given of them, it certainly was not for want of " front " that they continued to live in single blessedness and merit the well-known sobriquet. They were all front— patent reversible froDts at that. It would take Mark Twain's "doublemilling magnifying glass " to see any thing else but fronts about them. It seems consistent, too, to think that old maids who could change positions so quickly should find little difficulty in changing their position in life. A bit of fun with a Genoese guide, from the 11 Innocents Abroad " by Mark Twain, was then enacted, and proved very amusing. Miss McK^nnah made a capital guide, being quite disguised with the cynical and matter-of-f ict remarks of the " Innocents " on tbe celebrated sights and places visited by them. Misses McCormick (Mark Twain) and Gardner represented the " Innocents " admirably. The next item was a musical composition entitled " Sandy's mill." To one not trained to the intricacies of difficult arrangements in music " Sandy's mill " would seem to be very simple and monotonous, but all doubts en that score was set at rest by the excitement of the Professor (Mi§a McKennah) and bis pupils as they progressed through the composition. Part after part was gone through with untiring energy and a correctness extraordinary, the final chord being the signal for an unanimous encore. The uninitiated insisted it was the same thing right through, but then allowances must be made for these whose musical education has been neglected. A short sketch " Aunty Doleful " was enacted by Misses Walley and Griffin (Aunty Doleful), the latter a Job's comforter of an advanced type. The item, which was very amusing and not a bit doleful, was followed by " The harp that once," sung by Misses Healey and Blake and a chorus of some nine voices. Miss McKennah sang very nicely " Eternal rest," with piano and harmonium accompaniment. The song suited the singer's voice and was highly appreciated. The final item and the gem of the evening was tbe tableau "Oh where is heaven," with tbe introductory singing of Miss Healey and two wee vocalists, Misses Nellie Kagan and M. Madden* Tbe little ones were inquiring where is heaven, and their singing without the aid of music or accompaniment being really remarkable. Miss Healey sang the replies sweetly ; then the curtains were thrown back and tbe tableau " Heaven " was seen within. The lime lights bad a beautiful effect, and the audience testified their pleasure by long and continued applause. I ommitted to mention that during

the interval refreshments were handed round by the Children of Mary. The principal part of the accompaniments were played well and correctly by Miss Fitzgerald (piano) and Master Fitzgerald (violin), who also gave several selections from " Maritana " during the evening. On the whole the children of Mary have reason to be proud of their efforts, and it i 8 to be hoped they may often make it convenient to give ns a tas<e of their quality.