BIORAMA COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1529, 10 August 1905, Page 2

BIORAMA COMPANY.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC EECEPTION,

ADDRESS BY HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR.

The popularity of the Halvation Army in Gisborne waa never in greater evidenoo than it wa3 laat evening on the occasion of the public reception accorded to the members of the Bioramio Company, under Major Perry, who aro touring tho colony in the intoreatß of tho Army’s social and mission work. Upwards of a couple of thousand persons assembled in the vicinity of tbo belfry et seven o'clock, and the visitors were given a most enthusiastic we'ccine. A fow minutes beforo soven o’clock tho City Band, under Bandmaster Chrisp, marched up to the Salvation Army barracks, and alter welcoming the Bioratna Band, led thorn to the fircbell to the strains of the march, “ The Durbams.” Arriving at the belfry His Worship the Mayor, aud a nuinbor of councillors and leading citizens wore in waiting, and a short address of wolcome was delivered by the Mayor. Mr Townley expressed great pleasure at being present upon such an important ocoasion. He offered the visitors on behalf of the public of Gisborne the most oordial of welcomes, and sincerely hoped that their stay in the town would be a pleasant ae well as a profitable one. The Salvation Army had the warmest sympathy of the people in their social and mission work, and he was snr.o that they would all assist to the best of their ability. The Biorama was in chargo of Major Perry, who had travelled all over the world and himself collected a beautiful lot of films, and these would be shown during the present season. He (the Mayor) hoped that Gisborne would rise to the occasion and give the Company bumper houses. (Applause.) Iu conclusion Mi" Townley called for three cheers for the visitors, which were most heartily responded to. Major Perry, who was received with warm applause, made a brief reply on behalf of the Company. The objeot of the visit to New Zealand waa to obtain funds in aid of the social work of the Army, and in forwarding tho mission work in diffornt parts of the world. Tho members of tho company would all tsar inspection and were doserI ving of every oucouraeement iu the uoblo work in which they oDgaged. They had given up their lives, their homos, their positions and their fiieudß in order to assist their fallen brethren, and it was pleasant for them to soe tbeir efforts so warmly appreciated. Such enthusiastic welcomes as they had received that ovening gaeo them frosh heart for the work, (Applauso.) It waa four months since they had started work in New Zealand and at the out3et they hsd a target in view. That target was to raise the sum of £IOOO, but they bad already obtained no lesi than £I6OO. There had been many companies sont out from Mc ! boorno, hut none had boen more successful than the present one. The members of the company, one aud all, appreciated the kind expressions passed by the mayor. The two bands then nwobed to His Majesty’s Theatre, followed by a large gathering. The crowded audicnoe that witnessed the first enteriainmont given by the company woro one and all most onthusiaetio in rogard to the merits of tho exhibition, which was unanimously admitted to be the best of tho kind shown hero. Tho programme was a mor-t popular one, and was gone through without the slightest bitoh. The pictures wero greatly admired, and held tho close attention of all present. Groat interest was taken in tho kiuematograph film, " A Coaoh Hide through tho Bailor aud Otira Gorgo.” Tho series specially taken by Major Perry gives one j a good idea of tho beauties of New Zealand sconery. “ Tho Blacksmith’s Daughter,” " Tho" Enthusiastic Golfers,” 11 The | Stowaway,” and “After the Holidays" were other series which provoked great enthusiasm. Tho pictures are of considerable leDgtb, some of them running from 700 to 1000 foet, and were shown free from the defects noticeable in several exhibitions of a similar class which have visited Gisborne during tho past two years. Several songs wore given by the company, including “ Sun of My Soul ” and “ Somewhere,” both of which were splendidly illustrated, as were all the vocal items during the evening, Bandsman Stevens’ song, “ Tho Forger’s Daughter,” was an excellent item, os also was Ensign Brcdie’s numbor, “Please, Mr Conductor,” and Captain Hunt’s song, “Just as the Sun Went Dowd," the limelight effects in the latter song being particularly brilliant. In the opinion of many the song “ Asleep in the Deep," by Bandsman Thompson, was considered to be tho gem of the evening, and tho vocalist came in for considerable applause. The Biorama Band gave a splendid selection, entitled “ Austral.” Altogether the entertainment was a pronounced success, and we would strongly recommend those of our readers who wero unable to be present last evening to make a point of witnessing the exhibition. The comoany will appear eaoh evening during the present week, and ahould be greeted with butogec aQuate,