SOLDIERS BENEFIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 December 1919, Page 4

SOLDIERS BENEFIT.

A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT. The .benefit concert given in the Good Templar Hall last night, under the auspices of the U.S.A., on behalf of Mr. A. W. Jenkins, who sustained a somewhat serious injury while assisting at the R.S.A. annual ball, was a conspicuous success, both from the point of view of the entertainment itself and the support accorded by the public. The programme opened with a little playettb, entitled "Snowed up with a Duchess." The story centred around a Duchess ' and her dressmaker, who, caught while motoring in a terrific storm, sought shelter in the home of a simple, and pessimistic peasant woman who always referred to herself as "Mrs "Odge" and to her husband as '"Odge." While these folk were enjoying the hospitality of their hostess, another unfortunate victim of a motor accident, in the person of a society lady who insisted upon being called "ChongleighJoncß," as distinct from an ordinary "Jones," also sought refuge in the same place, and upon hearing that the Duchess was in the place, laid her plans to secure a meeting with her for the purpose of inducing her to call at the new residence of the "Chongleigh-Jones," so that all the "best people" would rush to make her their friend. The trouble commenced when the lady with, the -hyphenated name, in her eagerness to make an impression upon the Duchess, made the mistake of taking the French dressmaker for the Duchess and the real Duchess for the dressmaker. When it was too late to retrieve her loss she was overcome with remorse, and being "snowed up with a duchess" was for her at anyrate a first-rate "frofet." The dramatis, personae were well chosen, and the parts were exceedingly well presented, the many little subtle personal touches worked into the play 'being, highly appreciated. Mrs F. G. Evans played the Duchess, Mrs C. H. Weston the French dressmaker, Mrs E. A. Walker Mrs Chonleigh-Jones, and Miss Dora Bedford Mrs Hodge. Miss -Bedford was presented with a floral tribute on the card attached to which her title name appeared conspicuously,, The following part of the programme was of miscellaneous' items including songs by Mrs Wilkes, Miss Hine, Miss Jones, Messrs C. B. Webster and W. Smith (Waitara), and a cornet solo by Mr. R. Taylor. The accompaniments were played by Miss Pike, Miss Chong, and Mr. A. 0. Sturrock.

The grand finale was given by "Pasha Kick-Up-a-Dusto," a miniature Ottoman, who related how he left his nativo country on account of his aversion to going to war against England. He was captured by a German submarine commander, ultimately landed from the vessel, reached England, dined with the King, who sent him to New Zealand. In Auckland he met one, Bishop "Everill," \«p urged liira to go to New Plymoutlrto see if he could do anything for a dear clerical friend of his whose wife had taken to the stage. He was ever on the look out for little treasures to send home to hi 3 wife "Phatima" He came to New Plymouth and found the distressful cleric, who persuaded him to assist in the benefit entertainment and after doing a neat little dance and < ? l U of i ß £ en ? t \ b J r liftin ? h »«»>elf up off the table by his nose, announced the conclusion of the programme. During -an interval Archdeacon Evans expressed the thanks of the R5 A to all who had agisted, especially the n er . formers and those who had prepared the hall, and intimated also that in sponse to many requests the performance would be repeated to-night The only change in the programme will be the. appearance of Mr. A. B. MacJDonaid, who bas just returned to New Ply mouth, and is well known in musical circles. He will sing in place of Mrs . winces ,i