BRIEF MENTION

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 68, 31 December 1881, Page 252

BRIEF MENTION

With this issue of the Observer wo present our readers with a beautifully-executed double-page cartoon, containing excellent likenesses of most of the prominent Auckland members recently elected to Parliament; also the Obsebveb Almanac for 1882, a superbly lithographed eight-page sheet, containing views of the harbour of Waitemata and the principal buildings, a sporting calendar, and a large variety of information which has been specially compiled for this number. Maccabe is doing a big business in Melbourne. One of the features at the Police Court on Friday was the great muster of the tribes of Judah. Pauline Rita, the popular ojiera-houffe artiste, arrived in Melbourne per s.s. Orient. It is not true that DeLias and De Vivo are twin brothers. E. Nield denies the statement that he is to be married to Miss Absoloin. After leaving here the Montague-Turner Company x>lay at Wellington, returning to Christchurch in March. A Grisbornc correspondent informs its that / o shares in the East Coast Land Company were offered at auction a fortnight ago, and did not elicit v bid. Levy calls a new style of coat the " Hurst." We hope it will keep colour better than the pig, and not show white upon washing. Bey. Charles Clark has now finally settled down as pastor of the Association Chapel at Haven Green, Esling, England. Another species of bias not mentioned in Herbert Spencer's " Sociology "— " The bias of bile and Banks," to be published in the Free Liar. Mr D. W. Grillies, Avell-known in fashionable circles in Napier, is at present on a visit to Auckland, and is staying at Epsom with his uncle, the Judge. The engagement existing between Mr John Weston, of Onehunga, and Miss Kate Tnohy, of Kyber Pass, will soon eventuate in marriage. A writer in the Herald says, seriously, that they have donkeys at the North Shore ; just as every one did not know that long ago. People are wondering who are the fair fourteen from which Mr Knox has the difficult task of making a selection We have received a note from " M. Tease," requesting us to state that no engagement exists between Miss Tease and Mr Clothier, of Whakahara. Mr and Mrs Adam Porter returned last week from Matakaua, where they spent the honeymoon. They have bad a new house built in Eden Terrace. G-eo. Coppen lias bade farewell io the Melbourne stage. He played to immense houses during the last week. Mr E. C. Dyer, the rising young barrister of Cambridge, has come to town to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays. Big B. and little B. (Bandmann and Beaudet) have gone to India, where they hope (fallaciously, it is feared) to strike a patch. Clark lias got charge of the new steamer Victoria, and well deserves the position, for he is really the most popular and business-like hand on the Company's boats. Mr Cooper, who is engaged in pushing the New Zealand Land Colonisation and Settlement Company, Limited, proceeded to New Plymouth on Tuesday last. Still another man whose business " suits " his name just as well as a chimney-sweep's business '• soots" himself. Mr Bqvcy has opened a butcher's shop in Syinouds-street — in the bovine line, you see ! We learn that there are so many new pupils enrolling for next session of the Auckland High Schaol that Mr Macrae will be compelled to get additional • accommodation. " How's that for high ? Von der Heyde seemed far more popular with the Russian officers than with his more intimate German cousins. It was rather queer, but very noticeable, Von ; so don't make so much of the "bears" next time, please. The Russian Admiral left Auckland with a very good opinion of our hospitality, thanks to J. M. Clark and his good lady (the Mayoress), who did their utmost to make things lively for the visitors. Two young men who visited the Waiomio caves, and refused to pay the fee of 5s each demanded by the chief Marsh Brown, were incontinently deprived of their hats by his orders. J. B. Sfceele is in Adelaide, whifher he has gone under engagement to Mr Jxuies Alison for six months. Jimmy O'Brien saw him as he passed through Melbourne, and thought he looked blooming. Gary's juvenile " Pirates of Penzancc " has been a hit in Wellington. Clever little Lena Robinson plays Mabel, aud is well supported by the boy cast for Frederic. Ladies' Electro-plated Toilet Sets, Electroplated Glove Boxes, Electro-plated Handkerchief Boxes, 150 Flower Vases. F. H. Lewisson is agent for these goods. — [Advt.] Mrs John P. Vause, of Mongonui, and her daughter are in town for the holidays. Mrs V. is looking quite charming after her twelve months' sojourn in the country. The Williamsons, who have arrived in Dunedin, are supported by Mrs Stammers, Messrs Stuart O'Brien, H. Vincent, E. A. Vernon, W. H. Seagrave, Walter Westmore, C. Clarke, and P, Beynolds. We have received a delicate attention from Madame Lottie Wilinot, in the shape of a notification of bankruptcy. This is the only notice Lottie ever took of the manager of the Observer's little bill. The young people of ISTorthcote hired the local hall on Monday night, and got up an impromptu dance. No one could play the musical instrument — concertina — so the wallflowers were comx>elled to whistle the music. The great singer, Adelina Patti (says Truth), has had a plush dress made for her, the trimming of which consists of embroidered leather. We may therefore expect to see a, new departure in ladies' dress, and to hear before long of a rise in leather. A Kopuru correspondent contradicts the rumour that Mr Willie Stevenson, of Kaipara, is to be married on January 9th to Miss F., of Te Kopuru ; but perhaps there are more Miss F.s than one in the district. Harry Phillips ought to petition the Harbour Board for a special sitting near the watermen's stops, so that he may feel comfortable during the delivery of his interesting harangues to the crowds which gather there. Amongst those who are endeavouring to keep the Maori King and bis followers from completely breaking up their isolation by visiting Auckland is a certain prominent storekeeper at Alexandra, who is trying to retain a monopoly of the Maori trade. " Enquirer," of Otahuhu, writes, in terms of indignation, asking if the Ross spoken of as being engaged to Miss Fallwell is a "barefaced stripling," and a "teacher in City East School?" "Enquirer" will perhaps institute inquiries for himself on the subject. The Herald says the happiness of the human race at North Shore has been increased by the establishment of a donkey institution in that locality. News, indeed • gather them all in, boys ; we hope the institution's large enough. Mrs Stark, of the North Shore, wore a very handsome mouse-coloured satin elegantly trimmed, plush ooat and cream bonnet, at the races on Monday ; Mrs D. Cruiekshank had on a pale blue silk covered with Madras muslin, and trimmed with blue lace. A number of the young people of Beresfordstreet. Church had a picnic at Northcote on Monday last, and enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They were conveyed thither in rowing boats propelled by the sturdy arms of the young gentlemen. A pleasant spot was selected for the tent, and, thanks to the effort s of Messrs Eady, Edmonds, Shaw, Black, and others there was no lack of amusement.

On the side of a certain house in Chapel-street there is this inscription in large letters—" Sign and Ticfc-writer " This is the very man that a good many people who visit the adjacent hotel are always on the look-out for. , Mr and Mrs J. W. Pooley gave a very pleasant evenin<* party in the Masonic Hall, Newton, last Monday evening. There were a number of young Ipeople of both sexes present, and a very pleasant evening was passed in dancing and other amusements. The dresses of the ladies were remarkably pretty. Davy Wilson, who became popular hero as the chief officer of the barque Loch Dee, passed his examination for a master's certificate on his return to England, and was appointed to the command of the barque Loch Ken now on her way to Lyttelton. His friends will all be glad to hear of his good luck. . On dit that it has already been determined that decorations are to be conferred upon Mr Bryce, Major Mair, Colonel Roberts, and the chief butcher who distinguished himself in slaughtering the Maori pigs at Parihaka. Mr Bryce is to get a K.C.B. Keep cool, Bryce ! . Ladies who wish a truthful description of the dresses they wear at the races on Monday next to appear in the Observer, should forward same (written on one side of a half-sheet of note-paper) to this office before Wednesday afternoon. Such communications will be considered strictly private. In Auckland, after Cup day (as in London after Derby day), it is customary to state that the attendance was the largest on record. We don't usually accept such statements without a pinch of salt; but Mr Pardy assures us that on Monday last the crowd really was the biggest ever ont there. The Star complains that there are no resident J.P.s at Onehunga, and remarks that there are surely some gentlemen in the district qualified for the Commission of the Peace. We know one or two in the vicinity who are qualified for the commission of — breaches of the pence ! Scroll minutes of a recent meeting of the City Council and "representative citizens" :—" Moved and unanimously carried—" That the meeting resolve itself into a Mutual Admiration Society pro tan." Also carried by acclamation — "That each member of the City Council, &c, is a jolly good fellow." Hip ! hip ! &c, &c. The famous violonist Wilhelmj will commence a series of grand concerts at the Choral Hall commencing on the evening of Wednesday, January 4th, aud will be assisted by Mr Max Vogrich, the great pianist, and Miss Marie Conron, the charming young prima donna. Herr Wilbelmj has been very successful in Dunedin and Christchurch. A very enjoyable social gathering, arranged by a number' of gentlemen, was given in the Temperance Hall on Tuesday evening. About thirty couples were present, and, notwithstanding the steady downpour of rain, they spent a highly pleasant evening. Dancing, charades, etc., formed the programme, and each item was entered into with zest. Some people have a convenient way of being deaf whenever it suits. For instance, old Kirkwood appeared to be unable to hear a word of the evidence in a charge of assault laid against him at the Police Court on Thursday until he was being bound over to keep the peace in the sum of ,£SO, wbenhe evidently heard plainly enough, and bowed politely to the Bench without waiting for the policeman to repeat the sentence. Leake and DeLias' Specialty Company only did poor business in Wellington with "My Partner " and " The Galley Slave," but "Never too Late to Mend" ran a week. D. H. Harkins opened on Christinas Eve in " The Colonel," Burniind's famous aesthetic comedy, which is now running in London. We have not beard whether it was a success. Harkins comes here in February. At a recent dinner at Alexandra, at which Tawhiao, Tv Tawhiuo, and another of the Maori King's sons were present, a gentleman who formerly occupied a high position in the Colonial forces, and who saw a good deal of distinguished service, proposed that the three chiefs should accompany him to Auckland, and it was all but determined that they should do so. What envy, hatred, and till uncharitableness it would have excited in certain quarters ! The Editor of one of our daily contemporaries has been enjoying a week's holiday', and in bis absence the editorial column has been rather queerly conducted. Prominent among the feats performed are the taking up of the cudgels against the London Times-, and the coining of thenew word "patresfamilias." It is hard to say which of these feats is the more astonishing. Will any of the boys in Latin classes attempt the parsing of the above word ? Those ambitious individuals who are hungering and thirsting after the farthings of the law, and long with an overwhelming longing for the passage of Sir George Grey's Law Practitioners' Bill, had better prepare for a severe ordeal. Only three Auckland candidates — Messrs Campbell, Mahoney, and Dignan — x> asae d the law examination, and it is generally understood that, should the Bill become law, the severity both of the general knowledge and legal examinations will be materially increased. The senior Bible classes of St. James' Sundayschool held a picnic on Mr Howard's estate, Northcoto, last Monday, to which the teachers and other friends were invited. There was a good attendance, and the weather being beautiful it is not at all surprising that the picnickers thoroughly enjoyed themselves. French tig, rounders, jolly miller, swinging, and boating formed the j>riucii>iil means of amusement, while various sx)ooney coux^los enjoyed themselves after their own fashion. The picnic in question was given in the place of the quarterly social gathering. During the past week the Montague-Turner Opera Company have been drawing excellent bouses to the Theatre Royal, and giving very general satisfaction. For our cwn x'art, though, we cannot say the performances appear to be without blemish. Mr Turner himself is certainly the finest tenor there has been in Auckland formany a long day, and Miss Montague is also a star artiste of very suxJerior quality; but the chorus is weak, and not to be eomx>ared with Sinionsen's. This was particularly observable in " Faust," the Kermesse scene of which was skimpy and poor to a degree. "Maritana" is a work the company as a whole do best. The ccfitc (Mr Turner, Mr Farley, Miss Montague, and Miss Godfrey) is immensely x'owerful, and all work together with gratifying earnestness and unanimity. We did not sec the " Bohemian Girl " on Monday, but hear it did not create any very startling furore. Genee's " Royal Middy," which was a great success at home, is in preparation, and may prove the hit of the season. , "Puck "wires from Dunedin on Tuesday: — The Williamsons oi>ened last night to a genuine bumper house. Some time before eight every seat in the theatre was brought into requisition, aud money turned away from all parts. There must have been quite £150 in the house. Mrs Williamson received a splendid reception, all her songs and dances being encored, and twice getting a double recall before the curtain. She received able support from her husband and Stuart O'Brien. The latter, in the rather repulsive character of Deacon Crockett succeeded so well as to provoke a storm of hisses. Williamson is likely to do a fortnight's good business with " Struck Oil." They were ottered, and refused, £500 for the week's takings. Thompson, with his Zulu War diorama, at the Queen's, is getting a fair share of holiday support, and has had two capital houses. Eobson is elocut ionising in the goldfields towns to moderate business. On dit that Solange Navavo is about to return to the stage, Williamson having offered her an engagement. "A Puzzled Youth" writes for our opinion on a momentous question. He has been racking his brains to invent a prize conundrum for the entertainment to be given by Dean's Minstrels on behalf of the Fire Brigade ; aud haviner i>rodueed two of about equal merit, he wants our advice us to which he ought to enter for competition. No. lis as follows: "What is the best aid to put out fires ? — The Auckland Fire Brigade I" The objection to this is that "any schoolboy" could guess the answer, and it is besides a weak imitation of a (joke about Lemon-aid which recently appeared in the Observeb. Let us see No. 2—" Why is the Fire Brigade the most 7wse/til institution in Auckland ?— Because it has a H uglias, full of — ." But, no ; Hughes is no fool, so that won't do ! We would advise "A Puzzled Youth" to invest his last sixx>ence in a cox>y of "Joe Miller" and boldly " crib " a joke therefrom, if he cannot make a better original attempt' than the above. He is pretty sure to get the prize if he makes a judicious selection. It is not true that Messrs Peter Mackie and Neil Gow are going to teach the " Heilan' Fling " in St. James' Sabbath-school. A good many years ago Mr Peter Mackie, who in those days was known as " The Apostle Peter," was requested to give an address to the

Bey. Peter Mason's Sabbatli-school children. Now, the discourses of the Rev Peter were of a milk-and-water, lonar visaged, description ; but the Apostle Peter was much more humourous in his proceedings. On the occasion referred to, in order to attract the children's attention, the Apostle began by telling them rather a ticklish story. One big girl, in her efforts to restrain her laughter, evidently forgot that there were no backs to the seats, and turned a backward somersault, heels over head. The Apostle, although a firm believer in muscular Christianity, saw that it would be improper to continue the strong mental food which he had been administering, and he therefore d.luted it accordingly. It is needless to add that the somersault performance was not l'epeated. A grand concert and ball was hsld in the Public Hall, Bombay, on Friday, December 16th, when about 200 people assembled. The concert consisted of vocal and instrumental music, and two laughable farces — " Box and Cox," by Messrs Andrews, Forde, and Miss L. Forde ; and " Dere's the Money," by Messrs Forde and Hazard, which caused great laughter, and lasted till about half-past nine o'clock. The room was then cleared for dancing, under the able management of Mr W. Sawyer, M.C., which was kept up till about three o'clock the following morning. The ladies most conspicuous were the following : — Miss Mackey, brown cashmere, trimmed with sea-weed fringe ; Miss E. Mackey (the acknowledged belle of the evening) wore a navy blue costume and white necklace ; Miss K. Mackey, light pompadour and white necklaeej Miss McAninny, black lustre trimmed with satin, white necklace, and pink and white rosebuds; Miss Bottimorc, brown costume trimmed with cai-dinal ; Miss Meatyard, dark pompadour and blue ribbons ; Miss A. Bottimore, grey cashmere and white necklaeej Miss Caie, grey lustre ; Miss Wilson, black dress with creamcoloured overskirt. There was, as usual, plenty of flirting-. To the Editor : Sir, — Having attended St. Matthew's Church on Sunday evening, 4th instant, I heard Mr Tebbs, its respected minister, in speaking of the last judgment, say that people err much in believing that that day or time takes place immediately on the decease of the body ; illustrating his statement by adducing the fact of Christ's preaching to spirits in prison, and further, that he must have been doing good by being so employed. A little further on he showed the necessity of persons leading pure lives, as most likely the spirits of their departed friends were near and around them, viewing their actions. Next Sunday night, the 11th, I heard Mr Brown on immortality, and, ; though reasoning from the same book, he demolished any footing that orthodoxy might hold of life after death. I ask, when our divines differ so much in such fundamental doctrines, what can the vulgar and uneducated think of the common Christianity they preach ? If our friends die they certainly could not, by Mr Brown's showing, be expected to be near and around us, and therefore we must infer that our orthodox clergymen must be preaching heterodoxy. — Enquirer. It is not so well known as it should be that there is a society of youthful debaters in Auckland which bids fair to eclipse all the mutual improvement societies in the city. The closing meeting of the session took place the other evening in the drawing-room of a certain gentleman's residence, when a most sumptuous repast was provided for the nine meinbets present, the " spread " including three dozen of lemonade, besides a practically unlimited supply of cakes, fruit, &c. In the spirit of emulation engendered by their intellectual pursuits, the young fellows strove for the distinction of being the best eater and drinker. After a noble struggle of about an hour's duration, one of their number gave up the contest and beat a retreat to Eemuera ; and shortly afterwards several others subsided, if not exactly underneath the table, into easy positions on couches, &c. At 11 p.m. it was found that a slender youth was the victor, with si totnl of twelve bottles of lemonade, six slices of cake, two oranges, and four bananas. Jack C. was a good second, with a score of nine bottles and solids in proportion. The youthful debaters have undoubtedly a grand future before them. Mr Neville Thornton, the well-known scene painter, called here on Tuesday in company with Mr Duke (father of Miss Gertrude Duke, the actress), to explain cert.-.iin matters in connection with the performance given in aid of the North Shore Regatta Fund by the Amateur Dramatic Society. He says that at the time the entertainment was first mooted, Mr Robertson, the secretary or manager of the A.D.S., sent for him and asked him to go over to the North Shore and paint a garden scene at the Devonport Hall. This (having been well paid by the Society previously) he agreed to do for nolhimj, merely stipulating that his expenses in the shape of carriage of colours, mesils whilst over the water, &c, should be paid, so that he mightn't be out of pocket. Well, the work proved far heavier than was anticipated, but still Mr Thornton merely sent in a bill for bare expenses, amounting in all to 30s. Mr Robertson, however, after putting the scene-painter off several times, told him there were no funds ;; v-iilable to pay the account, as the entertainment h:id been i financial failure. N he showed a letter j >a the Regatta commi i-ee rfkiiiy the Club to give a po .'■> nuance on their bel.nlf, and ottered to accompany Li v to the secretary's (Air Dacre's) office, and give lii.n an order on the Committee for payment. This he did, and Mr Dacre, it is said, offered no objection to the or lor. Now, however, tbo Regatta committee decline i i pay the 30s, so that between the A.D.S. and the Regatta Club Mr Thornton seems likely to bo chiselled. Miss Duke's ease is similar. She accepted an order on the committee from Robertson (who has now left Auckland), on understanding from Mr Dacre it would be paid. Now she finds it won't. At the presentation of prizes to the pupils of the Auckland High School last week, the Rev. Mr Bruce, who occupied the position of Latin master, gave a valedictory address to his pupils prior to his leaving for his editorial post in Wellington. In the course of his remarks the " dominie" referred to the pleasant relations subsisting between him and the students of his class, and the mutual kindness and forbearance which they exercised. One of the boys, in a very audible "aside," here asked — "What about the stick?" The rev. gentleman admitted that he kept a stick as assistant teacher, but he never used it oftener than was abso- i lutely necessary. The boys still tittered, however, the reason being that there was a lively little joke underlying the question, which the Scottish champion failed to see. It appears that he had been in the habit of using the cane rather oftener than the boys thought " absolutely necessary," and some of the youthful colonials resolved to be revenged on the descendant of the conqueror of Bannockburn. They secretly secured all the sticks in the room, and cut each of them nearly through in several places, carefully concealing the incisions made, and placed the instruments of correction ! in handy positions. It was not long before the master found it "absolutely necessary" to "go for" one of his pupils, and it was glorious fun to see the stick fly to pieces as it descended harmlessly upon the offender's shoulders. The Bruce, nothing daunted, rushed for another cane, and it was better than a circus to watch him as each successive stick broke in similar fashion to the first, without hurting- the culprit. The boys openly shrieked with delight at the master's discomfiture, and they evidently treasure up the memory of the achievement as one of their most triumphant tricks. The fourth annnal benefit of the Sick, Accident, and Library Fund of the Auckland Fire Brigade, given by .Dean's Minstrels, took place in the Choral Hall on Boxing Night and proved an unqualified success — both financially and otherwise — the attendance being very large. As usual, the opening 1 portion of the entertainment commenced with the Ethiopian circle— Mr Horace Dean, as conversationalist, in the 3entre, and Messrs Billy Carey and Danny Bertie as corner men ; and admirably they carried out their duties, the comicalities being very good and totally devoid of vulgarism. The singing was far above the average. "Queen of the night," by Mr "W. H. Anton, was well rendered; and Mr J. Smart deservedly received an encore for his song, " Kiss me, and whisper good night." The song from the "Grand Duchess" (" Lo, Here the sabre of my sire"), which wos sung in a very masterly manner by Mr H. Dean, concluded the first portion of the entertainment. In the second part the "Roll Call" by Mr J. Worral, and the "Soldier's dream of home " by Mr Austin, were specially noticeable. The stump speech on " Love," by Mr Geo. Gapes, was very good ; only the make up was hardly in accordance with that usually indulged in by Ethiopian stump speech makers. Mr Horace Dean gave his song of the Fire Brigade in uniform, and responded to an enthusiastic encore by a caj>ital rendering of " All that glitters is not gold." The evening's amusement was brought to a close with a ball, which was well patronised, no less than 60 sets being up at one time, dancing to the excellent music provided by Mr Eady's band. We may here mention that the general appearance of the stage was adnii rable, and the whole of the arrangement in

connection with the whole affair reflect the greatest credit on all concerned. On Monday_ next the Company will give another entertainment in aid of the funds of the No. 3 Company, when there will be an entire changeof performance, concluding with a fancy dress ball. During the evening the prize poem and conundrum wereread, Mr John Blelly, of the Evening Star, taking the' prize for the poem, and Mr Pulford, of the Observer,. the prize for the conundrum.