THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, NOV. 13, 1894.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 790, 13 November 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, NOV. 13, 1894.

Reported there are 70,000 Russian troops in Vladivostok. The North Canterbury Education Board will grant assistance towards an aided school at the Clarence Bridge.

The County Clerk receives small birds eggs and heads on the afternoons of Wednesdays and Saturdays only, at the County Council office. Volcanic eruption at Ambrym, and fighting amongst natives of other Islands of New Hebrides group, reported in to-day’s Telegraphic news. An application for Letters Patent, with provisional specifications, has been accepted from Messrs Boyens and Renner, of Kaikoura, for an invention for improvements in printer's type-cases and the like. Mr A. Boyle (of Messrs Pyne & Co.) was kicked by one of the N. Z. Cup horses, at the start for that race, and, though not seriously injured, had to be taken home.

Pic-nicing was the order of the day here on Friday. A large party proceeded up the North road, to Anniseed Flat, while the Good Templars, and a number of friends, assembled near ‘ The Gums ’in one of the Ludstone paddocks. The N,Z. Amateur Rowing Association agaced that the next championships should be decided at Picton. This virtually determines the permanency ot the adoption of Picton harbour as the ‘Convincing Water’ for the Amateur Rowing Championships of the Colony.

The mortal remains of the late Mr Alben Close were interred in the Anglican portion of the cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The funeral procession was one of the longest ever seen here, extending from the Manse corner to opposite tha Town Schoo) gate in Killarney Street (leading up to the Post Office), those comprising it being three and Tour abreast, while others met at the Church gate. It was very pleasing to see residents, between whom and deceased rather acrid disagreements had taken place, disregarding the differences of the past and joining with friends in paying their last mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. A large number of very beautiful floral wreaths and crosses were sent, some being exceedingly chaste.

The members of the Dramatic Club bad, all things considered, a good attendance at their entertainment in the Assembly Hall on Friday evening. The first part comprised songs by the Misses Gray, E. McLaucblan, A, Poulter and M. Gibson and Mr Robertshaw, Miss Davidson contributing pianoforte selections. Thp several items were duly appreciated. Mr R. Driscoll danced in good style a sgilpr’s hornpipe (in the orthodox costume) t.o tpp evidcut' satisfaction of the audi'enc.e. After ,abort iptervg) the copiedy entitled * Check,ma),e ' was preseptpd, fteing ope .ot t he very be?) of the lighter ■| ppflipjjpns written, the language, 'by ftupgeptj bupwrous, and

philosophical, while the situations and involvements are thoroughly dramatic, it can readily be understood that such a cleverly constructed comedy cannot fail to ‘ catch on ’ with an audience. In the hands of even less capable exponents of the drama than those engaged in it on Friday night the piece must evoke applause. Yet withall, it is a comedy above the ability of something like ninety per cent of Dramatic students. ‘ Checkmate ' is of the ‘ classical order’ of comedies, and, likelsome simple but beautiful musical compositions, should not be attempted by the ordinary run of amateurs. Added to this, the preparation of the piece had been too hurried : so that when face to face with the audience more than one of the principals proved to be wanting. Thus, justice was not done cither to themselves or the comedy, and, in that respect, there was a marked difference between Friday’s night’s presentation and that of ‘ First Mate.’ The latter was well rehearsed and within the compass of the members of the Society, consequently they scored ahitwithit. Without impugning their ability, in any way, we would advise them not to select pieces of elegant comedy order. Miss Clarke as Charlotte Uusse, Mr T. Hitchcock as Henry and Mr L. Laugesen as Parsley were the more successful of the performers, Miss Clarke being far the better of the trio. Mrs Morris, and Messrs Sutherland and Stubbersfield appeared to much better advantage in some ot the later rehersals than they did on Friday night. Mr Stubbersfield staged the piece very well with the material at bis disposal, the lawn scene being a good one. Mr T. Wbitty very kindly assisted in lending stage furniture, etc. Mr Smart bad a rather arduous task as prompter. The members of the Society are putting a good piece in rehearsal, immediately, tor Boxing Night.