YESTERDAY'S HOLIDAY.

Evening Star, Issue 3386, 27 December 1873, Page 2

YESTERDAY'S HOLIDAY.

TKK TEMPERANCE PICNIC was held in a paddock at Kaikorai, lent by Mr Barr,- and situated about three miles from town, to which place the children and members of the various Lodges, headed by the Provincial and Fife and Drum Bands, were marched, immediately afte? the ceremony of laying the foundation stone .of the new hall was completed. When about half the distance had been travelled, a halt was made, and the children were treated to cakes and. buns, scrambled from an express. Arrived on the ground, sports of all descriptions were participated in, the principal being kiss-in-the-ring, blind-man’s-bulF, ami rounders; while some went in for dancing, to music supplied by the Provincial Baufl. Close on 1,000 persons were on the ground. Messrs Reeves and Co. kindly sent out thirty dozen of lemonade, for which tho children were very thankful. After an enjoyable day had been spent, a start wao made for town, which was reached shortly after seven o’clock.

THE RAILWAY was kept well employed in conveying persons anxious to visit the Port, or the Oddfellows’ Fete, and Catholic Church picnic, which were held at St. Leonards. Tlxe first train started from town ut 7-30 a.m., and conveyed a number of persons to tho Port. The next train, which left the station at 9.30 o’clock, took the first batch to St. Leonards, and from that hour up to 2.30 p.m. tho officials were kept well employed, each successive train being beseiged by persons going to that place. There were fifteen return trains, ten of which went from town to Port, tho other live only going as far as St. Leonards. To each train was attached twelve waggons fitted with seats,

besides tho fourteen carriages and the two guard’s vans, the latter being converted into passenger cars. It is estimated that 4,0t)0

persons travelled on the line during the day —the largest number that has yet travelled on it. Close on 3000 persons took advantage of the railway on its opening on Boxing Lay last year. 'The majority of those who went down >ns(eiday preferred travelling in the open carriages. Too much credit cannot,he awarded to Mr Kolfe, the general manager, and to Mr V. iluamson, the station master, who were unceasing in their eflorts to study the convenience of the passengers, THE DEUTSGITEK V E RETN celebrated their anniversary by a picnic held in Woodhaugh Valley, a pleasantly-situated paddock about a mile the other side of the Water of Leith. There wore about 3(10 persons nvesenfc. Sports were provided for the children, who were plentifully regaled with fruit ami pastry of all descriptions ; while the older ones were engaged in kiss-in-the-ring and daocoin. Mr Ivrull catered. A rather novel game, which caused much amusement, was the putting a live fowl under a large flower-pot; a lady blindfolded was placed about six yards distant with a long stick, and if she succeeded in hitting the pot the fowl was hers. We believe it is the society’s intention to hold their annual ball in the course of a month or so. ■SCHOOL TREAT. The children attending the Sawyer’s Bay School were entertained yesterday at a picnic in Mr MMdermid’s paddock, kindly lent by that gentleman for the occasion. At 11 a.m. about sixty children and some of their parents and friends assembled there; refreshments were provided, and the day pleasantly spent in games of cricket, football, and other amusements. THE CAR AN JUKI CONCERT. The large audience that attended the Queen’s Theatre last evening were amply repaid for their visit, as one of the best programmes of the season was provided for the patrons of this excellent entertainment. Mr Gordon, in the first part, surpassed himself by his rendering of the drinking song, “ The Stirrup Cup while Madame, in the Scotch ballad, “ Charlie is my darling,” was enthusiastically applauded. In the second part, the grand finale, “ Instant Vengeance,” was splendidly given by the company. The programme announced for this evening is equal to any yet advertised. THE PANTOMIME. The Princess Theatre was crowded in all parts last evening, when the burlesque of “ A li Baba” or the “ Forty Thieves,” was produced. There were the usual hitches incidental to the representation of a piece of this nature ; therefore, we will refraiu from offering a decided opinion as to the performance until we have an opportunity of seeing it to better advantage. The advertising drop scene is very well painted, and the scenery generally throughout the pantomime reflects very groat credit upon the SCenic artists, Messrs Kemp and Perriman. The burlesque portion of the entertainment was successful, mainly owing to the efforts of Miss Andrews, who, however, was not in as good voice as usual. Able assistance was rendered by Mrs Searlo and Miss Follande. Mr South made a capital clown, Mr Mason a very fair harlequin, but Mr oimmonds, as pantalo u, was an utter failure. The audience was a very good-humored one, and evidently bent on enjoying themselves, and judging by the applause, they succeeded in accomplishing their object. We might suggest to the management that the burlesque and pantomime are of themselves sufficiently long to constitute the programme. THE CIRCUS, which performed in the Provincial sale yards last evening, was also well attended, the marquee erected for the purpose being comfortably filled. The performers have all appeared here before, and each one was accorded a good reception on re-appearing. Mr Murray made a capital clown, while Mr Gorman discharged the duties of master of the ring in a very efficient manner. Young American, who has always been a favorite amongst the frequenters of the circus, went through some daring feats on horseback, and was loudly applauded. The variousequestrian and gymnastic feats were all well executed. While performing on the, double trapeze, Master Murray fell into the ring, and sustained what appeared to be a very nasty shaking, but Mr Murray came forward a few minutes afterwards, and assured those present that the accident was not a severe one, the announcement being received with loud applause. There will be another performance this evening. “TWA HOURS AT HAME ” is the appropriate title of the entertainment given in the Headquarters Drill-shed by Mr Kennedy, the Scotch vocalist, whoso songs have formed the staple amusement of the “auld country ” for many years past. For two hours, which are computed with mathematical. accuracy, does Kennedy pi-.re, assisted by his family, Misses Helen and Marjory, Messrs David, James, and John, discourse national music of a most homely and agreeable kind. Of this entertainment it has been well and truthfully remarked—“lt has a distinct character, being in the main addressed to those whose sympathies arc most strongly awakened at the sound of that which for want ol a better term we call broad Scotch. Most English-speaking people now-a-daya have some inkling of thp peculiarities of speech by which those inhabiting the principal divisions of the old country may be recognised, and therefore there was a generally hearty reception of the jokes with which the entertainment was plentifully sprinkled.” While unable to see in the singing anything to justify the warm admiration which we saw it evoked on many sides, we are forced to admit it is above the average. The young ladies possess ordinary voices, Miss Helen’s being soprano and Miss Marjory’s contralto, but they sing with ease and thorough earnestuesss. Messrs James (baritone) and David (tenor) have well-trained voices, that of the former being of some power, while Mr Kennedy himself is what Pickards would call a “robustious tenor.” They are thus able to form pleasing combinations, such as “ Hail Smiling Morn,” and “ The Ckmd-capt Towers” of last evening. On Mr Kennedy pwv; falls the weight of the entertainment; indeed he has almost the whole of the first part to himself. He sings well, and he talks even better than he sings. The ehof his songs is that they are given sympathetically, and ho makes his audience feel the sense oi tipi moral they illustrate. Before each song he delivers an explanation of it, which is tersely ‘And well put. Ever anon he cracks a joke or tells an anecdote, with infinite humor. Nothing is over-strained, nor is there the slightest approach to vulgarity. And wfien he alternates from the gay to the grave, to moralise, his seriousness is absolutely' infections. Let us instance his anecdote introducing the “Land o’ the Leal,” which was so pathetically told, as to bring tears into the eyes of not a few. But we have said enough of Mr Kennedy to let our readers understand the enjoyableuetw of Ins entertainment. We have said already that; tho sisters can sing very well ; and that the brothers fill out tome pleasant part songs, but the ladies also play tho piano well, and accompany the others. “ Aul«l Lang Syne,” sung with national fervor —the immense audience (for the building was literally , pack'-d) rising and singing the chorus and iinal verse con amove —brought a very satisfactory concert to a close. 'HE J'ANTASCOTE was not so well patronised last evening as might have been expected; but the various views as described by Mr Boat y ore well I received. During the coarse of the evening, I

Messrs Illingsworth and Maunders performed solos on their respective instruments ; and Mr Bent appeared in some negro sketches. A change of programme is announced for this evening.