CATHOLIC INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 99, 4 May 1870, Page 2

CATHOLIC INSTITUTE.

Last Monday evening an entertainment was given in the above Institute, Wellington-street, in aid of the funds, before a crowded house, under the patronage and presence of several of the clergy. The curtain rose at eight o'clock, when John Shcehan, Esq, M.P.C., addressed the audience, explaining to them the object of the entertainment, and how they stood with regard to the building. Ho said he had been a member of the Institute for upwards of eight years. The Institute was purchased from William Aitken, Esq., the mortgagee, for £600; and through the perseverance of the members and assistance received they have reduced the debt to £300. He hoped that in a couple of years they would be able to call the Institute their own. On behalf of himself and tho other members of the Institute, he begged to thank Mr. Atkin for the kindness and leniency shown to them by him. He also referred to a statement that was made in one of the newspapers, saying that the Institute was open every night for the purpose of singing, dancing, and kicking up of rows. He said that this statement was utterly false in every i-espect. He admitted that the Institute was very often open, but not for that purpose It was for the purpose of the members assembling together to hold debates, recitations. &c, and other means of improvement. Some people supposed that the Institute was kept open for the purpose of embittering the minds of young men against the members of different denominations. Not so ; any person could come in when the Institute is open, and the members are holding debates, &c, and let them say if they heard any dispute about religion. Strange to say, the Institute had been in existence for nearly nine years, and not one of the young ladies who assisted in these amusements, nor one of the members had entered into the Holy Bonds of Matrimony. He then thanked the audience for their patronage, and withdrew. The programme consisted of songs, recitations, readings, &c, and the second part of " Pipkin's Rustic Retreat." 'I he following are the names of the gentlemen who sang some favorite" airs, which were well sustained:— Messrs. Hall, Skinner, Henderson, and Howden. The ladies were the Misses Naughton, Cough, and Shanaghan, who sang some beautiful songs with much taste, Miss Shanaghai presiding at the piano. Mr. Carrol recited the " Bashful Man" in good style. The recitations of Messrs. Read, Callnan, E. Mahoney, and Shanaghan, were also deserving of notice, especially Mr. E. Mahoney's piece, called '•' A Bachelor," which elicited cheers and laughter .from the whole house. " Pipkin's Rustic Retreat" was then introduced, Mr. J. B. Gatland sustaining the part of Brittle Pipkin, a retired China dealer, with rural tastes, who purchases the Rustic Retreat for a very small sum, and goes to live in it. He finds no furniture in it except an old table and a couple

of three-legged chairs. Mr. W. H. Armstrong sustained Salvator Rosa Robinson (a painter artist with a strong taste for the terrible.) Mr. Owen Mahon appeared as Shandy Gaff, a potboy at the Green-eyed Monster Tavern. Mr. W. Read and Mr. Hallnan as two mysterious individuals. Mr. Kever as Mary Maria Pyrkin. Mr. J. Molloy as Florinda, daughter of the above Mary, &c, in first-rate stylo ;he made a very fine young lady. Mr. E. Mahoney, as Betsy Perks, maid-of-all-work was> very good. After the piece was finished, " God Save the Queen and Governor" was sung. After the entertainment the place was cleared, and dancing was kept up till one o'clock in the morning.