GREY VALLEY.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1997, 31 December 1874, Page 2

GREY VALLEY.

[from our own correspondent.] Work of every description is generally suspended throughout the gold-fields ; everybody going in for relaxation and enjoymeut, after his own peculiar bent or inclination. The beautiful weather has been favorable for outdoor sports and amusements, and consequently the athletic games have been very succesful on the gold-fields — the several proi grammes have attracted competitors and spectators to a greater extent than v?as expected, and matters generally, from, a publican's standpoint are color de rose. Comparatively few people passed down country this season, but this may be accounted for by the superior inducements offered to remain at home, for it cannot be denied that the attractions of the metropolis as a place of rendezvous for holiday enjoyment have passed away. Why ! don't the people of Greymouth keep pace I with the times in this respect ? Shinkicking (Irish fashion) as the programmes say, pulling and dragging (Cornish and Devon style), and bear-hugging, in the Cumberland and Westmoreland manners, were all very well for the rough and ready eai'lier life and livers, on the gold-fields, but something better is expected and must be provided, if the tradespeople of the village on the Sandspit, expectto attract visitors from the country. It is no novelty now to see good wrestling, running, and athletic preficiency generally on the gold-fields, and the miners do not therefore require to put up with all the inconveniences and expence, of even a short residence in Greymouth, to see socalled "Sports." It will be a more profitable investment in iuture, if the publicans of Greymouth, and those for whose benefit the sports are got up, expend their money in subsidising an opera company, or a good theatrical troupe, or even a dog and monkey " combination," and in providing something like a decent theatre, or public building, in which the " show " can be properly exhibited. This would be a novelty eveu for Greymouth, and would be certain to draw a crowd from the country, but the beauties of the Olympic games have failed, and even the elegant display of muscle in putting the heavy stone, or the glorious excitement of chasing the greased pig, are no longer attractive. AHATJRA. The festivities commenced here on Saturday evening with a musical and dramatic entertainment, given at St. Mary's School, for the benefit of the funds of the CATHOLIC ORPHANAGE, Which it is proposed to establish as soon as there is a reasonable probability that the project can be carried out successfully. Preparations were going on for some time with a view to make the affair a success, and efforts were also being made to bring off successfully a similar entertainment it was proposed to give in aid of the funds of the CHURCH OF ENGLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL. A very " happy thought" was hit upon that it would be a good thing and ensure success if an amalgamation could be effected of the entertainments, but in such a manner that the distinctive character and object of each could be maintained. Accordingly at the entertainment oiven by t.he Sisters. at the Convent School, those who were engaged to take parts in the other performance lent most efficient assistance, and the compliment was returned, with a reault which has had the very best effect socially, and with a financial termination that has positively astonished the most sanguine of the promoters of either entertainment. The action of the Lady Superioress of the Convent, in placing the large school room, the most capacious in the Grey Valley, at the disposal of the Church of England Committee, was a graceful recognition; of the talented services of the lady and gentlemen amateurs of the other churches who assisted so efficiently to make the. performances of the school children; so brilliantly successful. It%as intended that the Church of England concert should take place in the Court House, but 1 it would haye been impossible to get a fourth parb of the audience which 'attended at the school into the Court-room, consequently the giving permission to use the school building practically amounted to increasing the monetary proceeds: of the concert in a four-fold ratio, besides the good effect it had on 1 the amateurs in having a convenient stage with proper accessories to T perform on. With reference to the : ENTERTAINMENTS, It is only necessary to say that the performances were muoh above the average of those usually given by amateurs. In the Catholic concert the singing of Mrs ODea and Miss Julia Power was especially noticeable, the songs "Comeback to Erin" by the former, and ■"■ Write me a Letter" by the latter, being charmingly rendered. The~ singing of Messrs John Ollivier and Turner, and the readings and recitations of Miss Sarah Melody, Messrs Staite; Sutcliffe, and Ollivier,- and of Masters Lee and Gough(especially a recitation by Miss Melody), 5 were well rendered and received. A serio-comic dialogue between Messrs Staite and Ollivier created uproarious merriment. The singing and acting of Mr Owen Hearty (who came from Reef ton specially to assist), was, as iisdal, side-splitting, i and left the impression that this gentle-, man, if possible, improved since his last appearance in the Grey Valley. The character acting and singing of Mr Hearty and the singing of Mis 3 Jennie Power were the special features of the performance. The acting and singing of the school pupils evinced careful training, especially that of Misses Melody, Kate Kennedy, White, Julia, and Jenny Power, Larkin, and Lee, Gleeson, Weekman, and Green in the petite dramas of the "Silver Thimble," and the "Love Chase," and in the several songs sung .by them. Mr W. H. Jones officiated as chairman, and made an eloquent and sini,gularly appropriate speech in returning j thanks to the performers 'and the iatidience on behalf of the Rev. Mother and Sisters at the close of the entertainment. At the performance for the Church of England School, the entertainment opened with ap art song by Mr j". James, Miss :Nellie James, and Masters Alfred and W. James, followed by a recitation by Mr W. Banks, af ter, which Miss v^Toods sang very sweetly "Truth; in Absence.'' -Mr 0. Hearty then astonished the strangers

with one of his inimitable character sketches, and Master Lee recited Lord Ullin's Daughter." Mrs ODea sang "Put me in my little bed," and Mr Staitt? read from Shakespeare the passage where Cardinal Wolsey bids " farewell, a long farewell" to all his greatness. Miss Julia Power sang "Gentle Netty Moore," and accompanied herself on the pianoforte, and Mrs Rees and Mr Woods gave a good rendering of the duet "Am I not fondly thine own." The first part concluded with a screaming burlesque on mesmeric seances, a trifle written for the occasion in which Mr J. M. Ollivier (the author) represented a well-known " professor" of thd sience; and Mr Hearty a "subject" fresh from the Emerald Isle, who could not be "got at" on any consideration. Thb second part opened with a recitation by Miss Sarah Mollody, delivered in such a manner a3 to draw a special compliment from the audience. This was followed by a song, " Annie Lisle," by Mrs Burrows, which was well received. Mr W. H. Jones then reproduced the immortal Serjeant Busfuzin character. The learned Serjeant made his celebrated address for the plaintiff to the jury, in the case Bardwell v. Pickwick, the pianforte doing duty stately and gravely for jury, and the Chairman representing "my. hid." This reading was decidedly well delivered, and the make up of the reader was perfect. Master Gough followed with a recitation, for which he was afterwards publicly complimented by the Chairman. / Mias Jenny Power gave the " Grecian Bend," a performance which, 'has made the little performer locally famous, as a burlesque actress of great and < promising merit. Readings by Messrs Sutcliffe and Edwards, a trio, sung by Miss Woods and Messrs Howe and Trent, a song by-Mr W. Close, and a dramatic trifle, by the pupils of the convent schools, brought one of the most enjoyable entertainments ever given in the Grey Valley to . a successful termination. The Rev. T. Flavell officiated as Chairman, and filled the position excellently. He introduced the; several performers in every instance, with some appropriate and happy remark, which put the audience in good humor, and ensured a pleasant reception for the players. At the conclusion, Mr Flavell thanked the ladies of the establishment for the use of the building, saying it was/ a kind, generous, gracious, and neighborly action, and one of which any Christian community might well be proud. The speaker then returned thanks to the performers, and lastly to. the audience, for the liberal patronage bestowed on the entertainment. ' '■•■■•■■