Oamaru

New Zealand Tablet, 21 April 1910, Page 623

Oamaru

(From our own correspondent.) April 18. Miss Annie J. Lynch, pupil of the Dominican Convent, has been successful in securing an exhibition of six guineas awarded by Trinity College, London, to the candidate gaining the highest marks in pianoforte in intermediate division. The exhibition was competed for by candidates in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Canada. This is the second exhibition won by Miss Lynch; in 1908 she carried off the junior prize of six guineas. Miss Maggie Twomey, of the same school, has also secured a national prize of £5 awarded by Trinity College to the candidate obtaining, in the same year, honors in both practical and theoretical work in the senior division. The appeal made on behalf of Shunter H. S. Hungerford, who lost a leg in a railway accident some eight months ago, elicited a hearty response last night (says the North Otago Times), when a big audience gathered at the Opera House, the occasion being the repetition of Boucicault’s Irish drama ‘ Arrah-na-Pogue.’ The St. Patrick’s Dramatic Club, who provided the programme, are to be commended not only for the ready manner in which they responded to the call, but for giving a performance that did all concerned considerable credit. The drama went even better than on its previous presentation by the. club. There was more life in the representatives of the various characters, who were evidently more at their ease and entered with greater spirit fnto their work. Mr. F. J. Mulvihil], as Shaun the Post, was again the central figure, and filled all the requirements admirably. Mr. J. Birss, as Michael Feeney, 1 the dirty snake of the piece, fairly divided honors with his stage manager. On the former occasion Mr. Birss, who then made his debut, was distinctly good, but last night he improved upon his previous good work, and displayed an aptitude for the delineation of character of aby no means agreeable description. Messrs. T. Ford (Colonel Bagenal 'O’Grady) and C. H. Molloy (Beamish McCoul) both achieved large measures of success, and Messrs E. J. Barry (Major Coffin), P. C. Corcoran (Lord William

Duff), ; J.-P. Cagney (Sergeant O’Sheridan), and J. McKenzie (Paul Winterbottom) were equal to their allotted tasks. Mrs. Mulvihill, as Arrah Meelish (Arrah-na-Pogue), sup« ported the weight devolving upon her well, never overdoing the part, which offers allurements in that direction; but being natural throughout. Miss K. Hannon spoke her lines well as Fanny Power, and moreover looked the character. The remainder of those included in a long cast lent capable assistance, and the incidental ‘ songs and dances helped to make the performance go with a good swing. To the drama was added a short musical interlude. This served to introduce to Oamaru Miss Mary Woods, a musician of culture, hailing from Lawrence. Miss Woods is an accomplished pianiste, and for her solo she received a redemand that permitted of no denial, and another short solo was the result. But Miss Woods is also a vocalist of a high order. She is endowed with a voice of good quality, and has been well trained in its use. To these advantages she also combines an excellent natural taste, and her singing of Tosti’s ‘Good-bye’ was listened to with delight and its conclusion greeted with hearty applause. In response to an encore, ‘ Angus McDonald ’ was given in a manner that confirmed the good impression already created. Mr. Frank Jones contributed ‘Four jolly sailormen ’ in good style, and responded to a redemand with ‘ I know two bright eyes’ with good taste. Altogether the performance was worthy of the worthy occasion. Invercargill (From our own correspondent.) It will interest many of your readers to know that the bazaar in aid of the Dominican Convent, Bluff, will take place in the first week of May. The winning numbers of the principal prizes will be published in the Tablet soon after the close of the bazaar. The annual meeting of the Invercargill Catholic Club will take place during the week. The committee has a very favorable report and balance sheet to present to members. 1 A social gathering will bo held in Ashley’s Hall on Wednesday in aid of the bazaar which is to be held shortly for the purpose of raising funds to improve the convent grounds. Mr. Frank S. Byrne has been transferred from the Invercargill to the Wellington branch of the N.Z. Clothing Factory. During his stay here Mr. Byrne took a prominent part in most of our Catholic societies. He was treasurer of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, a vicepresident of the Hibernian Band, and also of the Athletic Football Club, and was on the directorate of the Irish Athletic Society. Mr. Byrne takes with him the best wishes of a large circle of friends in Invercargill.