TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 32, 15 December 1898, Page 6

TIMARU.

We learn by telegram fro-n our Timaru correspondent that a very successful and interesting entertainment and distribution of prizes took place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon at the Sacred Heart Convent, Timaru, and ia addition to the local clergy there were present the Very TW. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V G. (Christchurch), and Fathers Regaault, Galerne, and Cl. ary. The distribution of the prizes was precede! by a High Mass and extremely interesting entertainment, which was very much enjoyed by all present. The musical portion of ihe programme consisted of somf fine piano selections, including a quartette symphony from Beethoven, and some really fine exhibitions of violin playing by Miss D. Loughnan. Mendelssohn's ' Aye Maria ' was finely rendered as a chorus, as were also two other choruses, namely, ' Thou art fair,' Smart's ' Water nymphs,' and a hymn to the Sacred Heart. A very original action song was rendered with charming fun and frolic by the younger children. A scene from Athalie was given in faultless French by three of the children. The gems ol the entertainment were undoubtedly three tableaux (Mater Admirabiles, Mater Salva-oris, a-<d Retina Martyrum). The grouping, pose, colouring, and setting were alike i i exquisite taste, and they fo'med a r<\illy m.gniriu'^it of living pictures. The re criptive recitations were deiivere ' by the Misses Grace, Kennoiy, and Lo'ighriQn. The prizes wuh p'p-ttnited by the Vicar-Gener-»1, who, at the cl.^e, p di the S -r in <v the S ut d Heart and the children a well de-ei veil in^nd of pru-i- for the li ie entertainment that he and his fellow-priests had vvi n i -s d.

We learn from our Tiuiaru correspondent that a capital entertainment was given a< the Theatre liojal last night (Wednesday) in aid of the Sacred 11* ar* Srhojl. 'I be ente-tainment consisted of a drama, a farce, two ohoriwo wlvch. wore rendered in a very taking manner by the Cony nt children, and a droll piece from Three Men hi a Bent, which wa« given in > apital style by a favourite local reciter, Master F. Collins. The drama was ' A Twofold Revenge ' — a piece with some good dramatic situations. The chatacters were ably sustained throughout, and the acting wa c freely applauded. Mips Kenny nbly play d the part of the Moorish princess, and Miss A. M'Donald th.it of the daughter (Etoina"> ; while the parts of Yamouna, two English ladies, Susa (a s rvdin), aud a witch were well played by, respectively, the Misses 1... M'Guinnev, L O'Brien, G. Hall, A. M/Uowan. and C. M'Guinness The piece was very wdl staged. Thy farce (" Mis. Willis's Will') was a delightfully droll production, and was greet d from beginning to end with abundant laughter. The acting wns throughout very clever, and the parts were played by Miss 11 M'Kcmiua (' Lady Spindle' i, Mi-.s P. Collius (-Mrs. Dwindle'). Mi-s A. M'Gowau (' Mrs. Robtrts'), Miss A. Wade ('Jenny'), and Mips Sullivan a.'R, ieh.pl Rob ii'-on.' There was a^o an <-liicient orchestra, in w liich Mi a s E. JrGuinneß*. Messrs. E. Collins, Yenning, Bezant, and others* took an effective part. The entertainment went through \eij successtullv. and is to be repeated this (Thursday) night. Both plays were admirably staged and finely played.