AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 325, 18 January 1909, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

WEST'S PICTURES. Included in the new scries of films to jo preseutel on Weilm-suay at tin; Thcitre Royal by West's l'ictiircs 111.11111^0iwsit is a- capital series of great inlcr;st, showing the -city of Messina before LIIIO earthquake. A splendid bird's-eye i'ie-w of the city has ibeen seemed, and i complete jin 1101 a 11m of the eatliedral, 'lotels, churches, and public building, that have recently been reduced U) 11 leap of ruins witli -such appalling mortality. There are also pictures of the Sicilian lisliing licet oil' the coast of L'atavia, wJiieh sull'ered so severely during the upheaval, when some. 500 bouts were engulfed by a tidal wave. The entire series is of undoubted historic interest, being, jt is said, a complete pictorial record—especially of Messina—showing Italy's southern province before the. earthquake, from which one may learn much of its industries and commerce. Another item of interest will he "Italian Naval .Manoeuvres." The opening .programme is said to lie of much more than average merit. The box. plan is at Ife- Collier and Colonial I'iano Co. wareliiiuse. TIIK KOYAI, .MALE WIvLSII CHOIR. A TItKAT r'OK NKW I'IA'.MUfTII. Music lovers here will be gratilicd to learn, that Messrs. .1. and X. tail intend bringing '..lie worlilfameil choristers to New riviniiiuh on Monday. I.'ebruary 1. 'lt was'at first leaned liiat. with'the exccptiuii of certain nii-lropolilaa anil 'provincial-.ventres, th ! s line would have to be pas-rd by, solely through lack of 'lime. The tmir mapped out embraces a limited number of tmvns in .New Zealand, immediately following which tin. choir is booked J'or its Canadian tour. The. Itoyal Welsh Male Choir is regarded as tlie. lincst in 'Great Britain. This combination was formed about 23 year* 'ago by miners and colliery hands, ii: 'JVorcJiy and Rhondda Valley, in Wales 'and during that period they have met 'whh truly phenomenal success, winning nearly CI 0,01)0 worth of prizes, etc., ol every championship choral contest ol any importance in great liritain, including the great Ijlannell championship Th'ev were favorites of her. late MajesU «,)ue'en Victoria, wlio granted tlieni: tin 'exclusive right to their iinesent title 'The choir ran claim the unique distin,itioii of having sung in the Chamber ol •the House of la.nls. They toured tin I'nited States and made a sensation.! 'sueeiess. one of ;the audiences reaching 20,000 people. The .conductor is Mr. W Thomas, a man of wonderful persona 'magnetic, power, and wlroin musica ■authorities regard as the potent factoi in the choir's wonderful success. Tin 'touring manager. Mr. A. W. Batiste (foi (Messrs. .T. and X. Tait), will arrive nini vlenv days ahead, and would be pleasei 'to discuss details re reception arrange 'nients, etc., with secretaries of socicti. 1 - 'and choirmasters at the Dresden. I<V. 'particulars will be published in hit?' 'issues. '