CATHOLIC ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 3, 4 November 1892, Page 25

CATHOLIC ENTERTAINMENTS.

(Nelson Colonist, October 20.) The St Mary's Building entertainent Fund at the Provincial Sail last evening was a big success, hundreds of persons being present. Tbere was a numerous sitting at the tea at six o'clock. Before tbe company attacked tbe splendid spread, his Worship tbe Mayor (Mr Trask) opened tbe proceedings of tbe evening with a few appropriate remarks, expressing his pleasure at seeing bo large a company present, and hoped that all would tborougbly enjoy themselves. After the Very Rev Father Maboney bad asked Ja blessing, full justice was done to the repast. The next item was the dramatic performance, which commenced soon after seven o'clock. Miss Duff gave the overture, a pianoforte solo. A song and chorus followed, given by the young lady pupils of St Mary's School, who sang well, and looked pretty with their floral wreaths and happy faces. The boys of the same school next performed the drama, entitled " He would be a Soldier,'* which went well. Master Augustosr|Bcott took the part of Frank O'Driscoll, a student ; Master Lancelot Frank, Jerry O'Donovan, a soldier ; Master Henry Seymour, Father President, Prefect of the College ; Master Joseph Scott that of drill-master ; Masters Bernard Armstrong and Bertie Frank were the sergeants ; Masters Norman Armstrong and Frank McCormack the corporals ; a large number of the schoolboys made up tbe company of Boldiers, and looked very smart in tbeir uniforms. Mr O'Connell, as manager, brought the performance off without a hitch. Afterwards a number of musical selections were given, the contributors being Misses Trask, Duff, Hounsell, Kid sou and Scott. Next came fortune-telling by two gipsies (Mißses Hammerton and Maccabe) ; fairy well, in charge ol Misses E. Frank, Hunt, and Hyland ; bran pie, in charge of Missel Limmer and Hyland ; Bale of work, conducted by Mesdames Council, O'Connel), and Hyland, and Miss Higgins ; representation of Bey Mother aud an orphan, in charge of Miss Sweeney ; refreshments, presided over by Meßdames A. Frank, Harris, Hyland, O'Connell, Nash, and Scott, andjMiss Limmer ; and flower girls selling bouquets, one of whicb, Miss Floyd, aged three, sold so many of her tiny bonehes as to realise about ten shillings. About half-past tea the quadrille

PMembly commenced, Mr O Oonnell making'Jau efficient master of ceremonies, and Mrs and Miss Levien providing|>xcellent music. Daring one of the intervals Mr Maginoity made a few^remarks regard* ing the object of the entertainment, and the landable and merciful work in which the ladies of St Mary's Conventjwere engaged. The management committee (Messrs McGee,|Harris,tO'Gonnell, Hyland, and Nash) worked hard, and it most have been gratifying to them to we the whole affair such a success. Besides those^mentloned, there were a host of helpers, especially at the tea, and to these the committee desire to expresß tbeir warmest, thanks. One novel feature was a large plum pudding, which was sold lin.islices, and of which the Mayoress (Mrs Trask) cut the first slice. Altogether a handsome sum moat have been realised for the building ifund.

{Lake Wahatipn Mail, October 21.) On Saturday evening a concert was held in the Athenaeum Hall, Arrowtown, in aid of St Patrick's sohool fund. It affords us great pleasnre to note that the entertainment was well supported, notwithstanding a heavy down-pour of rain. The hall was filled almost to overflowing, and if one may judge from the applause with which almost every item on the programme was greeted, it is; pretty certain that all were greatly pleased with the entertainment provided for them. The programme, under the able conduotorßhip of Miss F. M'Botyre (the school teacher), wasfaleo carried out in excellent style, and the affair reflects tbe highest credit on all those who were concerned in making it such a success. The proceedings were opened by a piano solo, by Miss F. M'JSntyre, for whioh she was^much applauded. Mr' Graham (Queenstown) sang in a very pleasingfmanner " The Quakers." The next iteat on the programme was a hornpipe byjMr B. Cotter, danced by that gentleman in his usual finished style, and much appreciated by the audience ; while the musical portion of ithe fete was by Mr A. Anderson. Mr 0. L. Macktnzie,|by*his)hnmourßome rendering of the song, " Ask the policeman," was very entertaining and received an imperative encore. The lady vocalist of the evening was Miss K. Robertson, and it goes without saying that that young lady sang with her usual good taste. " The wearing|of the green," waa sung very sweetly by the Misses Houlihan, Cotter and Aitkio. Miss E. Butltr, with great 'archness of expression, sang the " Blue bells of Scotland," for which she was encored, and afterwards tendered a song of a very differentgdescription of which an expressive rendering was also given. The duet " Folly and fashions," by Mrs M'Carthy and Miss Butler was much]|appreciated, and listened to with rapt attention. A piano duet was aleo given by the Misses Cotter and Gilmonr. The national anthem, " God New Zealand," was snog in a sweet and pleasing manner by the pupils of tbe school, their gentle and graceful movements on the stage — especially of the yonnger children— speaking much for the teacher as a disciplinarian. Duriogfthe interval the Bey Father^Lyncb came forward and, on bthalf of the school, thanked tbe performers and singers for their services so kindly and admirably"rendered. He also tbe audience for tbeir generous, patronage. The second part of tbe programme was'a comedy " The} Irish Tiger," the different characters being well sustained. Mr P. Healey, as Alderman Marrowfat, was all that could be desired, and his acting was really good, while Mr M.lTobinlsustained.ltbelpart^of Bilberry, the flustering and obstinate old uncle. Mr F. Delany, as Sir Charles, showed himself a master of his part, and his [personation of the masquerading young baronet was undoubtedly well executed, while Mr B, Cotter, as* the young Irish groom, was. simply gorgeous, and his antics elicited roars of laughtsr. Mr D. Sbanahan, as John and general servant, also did very well. Misa S. Cotter and Miss T. M'Entyre, as Julia and Nancy respectively, displayed great culture, and were much admired for their skilful interpretation of the parts sustained by them. It may be added that Miaa F. M'Entyre, Miss E. Robertson and Misß T. Butler gave every satisfaction as extremely' efficient accompanists. Financially also, ' the concert was a great success, £24 having been realised.

(Mataura Ensign, October 28.) The stating capacity of the Gore Town Hall was taxed to its utmost limit on Wednesday evening for the concert in aid of tbe Roman Catholic Church Building Fund. Tbe audience was a thoroughly representative one, and many of those present had come from considerable distances, attracted both by the programme of tbe entertainment and its object. \ The first part was opened by a pianoforte duet by Miss Green and Mr Brett, and the second by a piano solo by Miss Green. Both the numbers were played in such a manner as to evoke hearty applause. Mr Bowler was the first singer on the list. He gave a spirited rendering of Poniatoski's " Yoeman's Wedding," and did not respond to an undeniable encore ; and in] the second part bis contributions were " Here upon my vessel's deck," given with great fire and effect, and " Anchored," in response to tht recall by tbe audience, who were clearly determined not to be denied this time. Miss Kate

Blaney, the firsvt stranger to appear, sustained the reputation that bad preceded har. kShe has a sweet (and sympathetic, though not very powerful, voice, and "Fiddle and I" proved a most enjoyable number. But it "was in the second?part that the lady was most successful, singing Bohrend's " Daddy " with a rare appreciation of the sentiment of the beautiful and touching song, this numbtr being accounted by many of those present the " gem of the evening." The old favourite " Bot'in Adair," was given in response to the demand for more. Master 0 ntred followed Miss Blaney in the first part with an Irish jig, which he gave with great spirit and abandon, and this and a clog dance la tar on in Mr George Gleeson's best style were amongst the most popular items£on the programme with the majority of the audience, both bi?ing encored . Mrs Dolamore's " Apart " was an enjoyable number, und Miss Mary Blaney's violin solos, " Bine bells of Scotland " and " Life let us cherish," were both deservedly warmly received. Miss Rose Blaney it the fortunate possessor of a very powerful and highly cultivated soprano'.voioe. In the first part her artistic rendering of '* Killaroey " waa rewarded by a vociferous recall, and " Ooming thro' the rye ".wasjtfiven with all the archnen the famous old song demands. In the^second part|Miss Blaney wai equally successful with " Olose to the threshold." Mr Maoedo'i robust baritone was beard to advantage in " Queen of, the earth " and "True to the last." Mrs Lynch is'.an^old favourite,*.and received a warm welcome. " Eileen Alannah " wasjjeiacored, and the lady was quite as happy in her treatment of "Dublin Bay," while later on " When sparrows build " was also favourably received. Miss Stock* well was only down for one number, " Gariasima," and the audience would gladly have heard her again. The same remark applies to the duet by Misses B. and K. Blaney, " Friendship," which was a rare treat . Mr F. Anthony brought both first and second parts to a termination with comic songs, " Where ono goes, we all go " and "I've worked eight hours this day," Both were encored, and the singer obliged with " Home, boys, home," and " McOormack." , Mr Brett played most of the accompaniments in his customary skilful and sympathetic manner ; Misa Green aocompanied Mrs Lynch ; Miss Rose Blaney her sister ; while Miates Mary and Kate Blaney played violin obbligatos for several songs. Mr Brett had sole charge of the musical part of the program me, and it could not have been in better bands. Before the farce commenced Father Newport, in happy terms, thanked the audience for tbeir patronage. , The farce, " Rum'ns from Rome," was then put on the stage, the characters being taken as follows :— Miss G bump, Miss d'Eterte ; Old Mr Chump, Mr G. Allen ; Julius, Mr G. Gl eeson ; Captain Smith, Mr Domigan ; Mr Chips, Mr Macedo ; Joe, 'Mr C. Grant. The farce, such as it is, was well played, but it is exceedingly idiotic and very stale, and we fancy the audience would b.ave been better pleased to have had some more of their recalls reap onded to, and to have heard the Misses Blaney in another duet or two, which would also have permitted of the entertainment closing at a reasonable hour. As it waß, the curtain did not fall till about twenty-five minutes to twelve. The entertainment went off wit) lout a hitch, thanks in a great measure to the excellent arrangementsm ents made by the secretaries, Messrs Carr and Poppelwell. The concert drew one of tht bigf jest houses ever known in Gora —total takings said to be about £50.

(Wangtmui Chronicle, October 20.) The grand Catholic bazaar in the Drill Hall waa opened last night by his Grace Archbishop Redwood. After " God Save tbe Queen " had been sung, his Worship the Ms.yor introduced the Archbishop. Mr Parsons said that the object of the bazaar was to provide funds for the formation of a Ma.riat Brothers' school. He thought it spoke volumes for the people of this district that they wonld combine in helping in such an undertaking. He had hoped that his Excellency the Governor would have been present at the opening, bat as his arrangements were made he was unfortunately unable to stay. He had asked him to express his regTet, and as a token of his sympathy with the object he had handed him the very handsome donation of £5. However, if they had not the pleasure of the Governor's presence, they had the honour of his Grace Archbishop Redwood's. The Archbishop, having been introduced, spoke as follows:—*" Mr Mayor, Ladies and gentlemen,— first of all, I am very grateful to his Worship the Mayor for offering me the very great pleasure of opening these proceedings. The pleasure is enhanced by the f tot that everything promises so complete a success. It is always a pleasnre to have to deal with any business which promises to be a thorough success, and I think that even in spite of the weather this bazaar will be such. That result will of course be due to the well-known generosity and goodwill of the Wanganai public, and the readiness they show in helping any good object. Ido not think there is any part of my diocese in which I have found more generosity or kindness than in this town of Wanganui. Ido not know whether it is owing to the magnetic attraction of Father Kirk or not, but that may htive something to do with the matter. He seems to have the happy power of gaining the good opinion of all, and if we look over i this city we can see what work be has done through (be generosity o(

the Wan*anui public. I think we cannot look round this hall without being induced to put our hands in onr pockets and buy some of the pretty things which have been provided for ns. lam sure when we bare tbii evening seen the elegant articles on the stalls around, our pockets will open wide and the money will flow from them wholesale. The objects of the bazaar have been explained to you by the Mayor. It is to provide the means of introducing tbe Matist Brothers here by supplying buildings to lodge them in. They will prove a valuable assistance to your children educationally by providing the means of giving a thorough finish to their scholastic training. I beg now to thank the Mayor for the kind assistance be has rendered to the success of the bazaar, and for his services in putting tbe matter before Lord Glasgow, and to declare tbe bazaar open. The stage was then cleared for the town band, whilst tbe public concerned themselves with the tastefully-dressed stalls. The hall was nicely decorated, and the bright colours of tbe stalls and their gaily-dressed attendees produced a most pleasing effect. Tbe stalle were all named after European nations or provinceß, and a coloured sign over each announced its title. The presiding ladies and their assistants all wore the costume of the country their stalls were supposed to represent — a great improvement on the promiscuous fancy dress usually worn in Bach esses.