A SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9671, 9 December 1909, Page 5

A SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT.

Tne grand "assault at arms" and t entertainment organised by Mr Gerald Branson for the Masterton j Rifle Volunteers' Drill Hall Extension Fund was held in the Town Hall last evening, it is to be regretted that the attendance was so poor as the entertainment certainly merited a crowded houEe. Those present, however, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the programme, and the general arrangements reflected great credit on the director (Mr Branson), and those who assisted him. Prior to the commencement the Masterton Municipal Brass Band played a number of stirring selections. The overtures rendered by the Band were the well known marches "Pile Arms" and "Southern Cross," both of which were played with spirit and dash. A feature of the entertainment was the physical drill, rifle exercises and bayonet . fighting, interspersed through the programme, by a team of five from the Masterton Rifle Volunteers. The various exercises were performed with most commendabls precision, and evidence of not only careful training but marked ability, particularly in the bayonet fighting section. It is worthy of men • tion that this team were runners-up for the physical and bayonet competitions at the Palmerston. North military tournament for two years, and on the third occasion only lost the second place by a point. The team, which was in charge of Battalion Sergeant-Major Morton, was com posed of Sergeants Prentice, Braggins, Cole, and Corporals Williams and W. Harding. "The Veteran's Song" (S. Adams), was particular ly suitable for Mr W. IggulJen's fine bass voice, and in the second half of the programme he also treated the audience to that stirring number "The Laddie I Love," (Joan Trevaka). "Snorkens," a difficult recitation of a highly hurrorous nature, found a capable exponent in Mr E. K. Wilson. Mr H. Smith, who is new to a Masterton audience, is the possessor of a pleasing light baritone voice, and his first contribution found so much favour with the audience that an encore was demanded, in response to which he sang "Come Back to Erin " The secoiid half of the programme consisted chiefly of a comedy sketch entitled "Fun in the Kitchen," The characters were in most capable i hands and there was not a dull moment in the whole piece. The servant girl "Penelope" has three ardent admirers. She has previously been in the habit of meeting each one separately through the use of a signal —a peppsr box—from the window. On this occasion, however, her schemes are f-ustrated by her mistress, "Mrs Croaker," removing the signal from the window sill. The outcome is very amusing, as both "Pitcher" (a policeman), and "Tosser," (a soldier;, both think the> coast is clear. In renlity her distress does not go to the theatre as she intended, but remains home "Pitcher" and "Tosser" both arrive on the scene, are effectively hidden by "Penelope," one in the cupboard and the other in the copper. The third admirer is the milkman, "Walker Chalks," who declares his love with passionate sincerity. The piece bristles with amusing situations, particularly in the part where "Pitcher"' very nearly get 3 boiled alive in his hiding place, the copper. With the dismissal of "Penelupe" by "Mrs Croaker" the affection of both "Pitcher" and "Tosser" vanishes like mist in a morning sun, but "Penelope" eventually finds solace in the faithful "Walker Chalks." The characters were as follow: — "Penelope," Miss E. Jago; "Mrs Croaker," Mis 3 R. V. Carr; "Pitcher/" Mr F. H. Elcoate; "Tosser," Mr W. S. Jago; "Walker Chalks," Mr D. Walsh. Th 3 pianoforte accompaniments were played most capably by Mr H. Inn-. The piano was kindly let by Messrs Inns an 1 Goddard, local agents for the Dresden Piano Corn--1 P an y«.