LAST NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT

Kumara Times, Issue 1652, 14 January 1882, Page 2

LAST NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT

The varied programme of the entertainment held last night at the Adelphi Theatre in aid of the building fund of Holy Trinity Church seemed to prove a very attractive one, a good response having been made by the public, and the result being a well-filled house. Many doubtless were anxious to renew their friendship with the Yen. Archdeacon Harper, who is on his usual parochial or diocesan visit as well as to seek acquaintance with the new minister, the Rev. J. Holland, as it were, out of the pulpit. The entertainment commenced with an overture on the pianoforte by Miss Ada Skilton, a young lady who applies herself with great diligence to the study of the as yet unsurpassed household instrument, and whoexhibited wonderful improvement on her previous accompaniments, when she rendered “ Silvery Waves.” The Rev. Mr Holland acted as conductor on the platform, and first introduced one of our favorite sentimental songsters, Mr R. Taylor, who, to the accompaniment of his better half, sang “Seeing Nelly Home.” He was, as usual, in good voice, and wa* awarded an encore, when he gave “ Take me home." Mr Wilby, an excellent comic singer, then sang in his accustomed mimicking style “My Grandmother’s Chair,” which evoked great applause} and, receiving similar flattering demon-* strationsas the gentleman who preceded him, gave the laugable comic song of “ M'Soriey’s Twins.” The Yen. Archdeacon Harper then discoursed to the audience, congratulating them on their general healthy appearance, with signs of improved prosperity. In taking a retrospective glance at the events which had transpired since his last visit, foremost was perhaps the removal of the Rev. Mr Scott, their esteemed pastor, whose departure from amongst them had been, he noticed, a source of very general regret; they bad, however, in his successor, the Rev. Mr Holland, a very useful man, and one who be was sure at the end of twelve months would become very generally liked, as would Mrs Holland, who he hoped would, if present, excuse him for -making sncb

public reference The Veil. Archdeacon made some striking allusions to the miners as compared with some of the supposed well-to-do farriers ou tl'ie other side "f ; the range, particularly iu his own neigh borllood, Timaril, Wiere small farmers wlio.se property w.»s supposed to be worth 15 to hundred pounds were now crying out, many of of them, that their crops were destroyed for want of rain', and they were niinhd men. He con6l tided a very pleasing and humorous address by expressing t a hope that he would on his next toilr to this district find that Kuniara rfras Jrat in its infancy, ip tegard to its go layielding. resourced Mr Wilby then favored thp com pan V with the son g of “ The Four ’Jolly Smiths,” which called forth more rapturous applause, when he followed with tile amusing sketch of “Betsy Bangle” and the mangle. The ReV. j. Holland tlien gave d sketch of missionary “Life in B|oinep,” a district in tile East India Islands) Commencing witli his vofdge -'from Singapore to Sarawak. Our space will not alio# ds to give stich an. extended notice as we should wish! Suthce it to say that it was very amusing and instructive, as explaining the habits and mode of life of ihdse Ijeatheii people! He was several times applauded, and the discourse was tbcdughotit rendered the more interesting by the exhibitiori of a few curiosities froth that and the adjacent islands. During the internal Opportunity wad taken on behalf of the churchwardens and vestrymen to thank the audience for the very liberal response made by their attendance) to Compliment the Ven. the Archdeacon on his adddresd/ the Rev. Mr Holland for his amusing lecture, and last/ though perhaps not least/ the Amateur Dramatic Club for their kindness in assisting. Thanks’ are also due to the and gentlemen who so efficiently filled aS it were the intervals. The eutertainmerit concluded with the performance, by the Arriateur Dra-, matic Club/ of the laughable Comedy of “ A Race for a Widow,” which was produced in a manner far' exceeding that in which it had been previously given by the club j and the diversion, wliieli on the whole was d very pleasing one, was then brought to a close by the usual “National Anthem.”