ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1787, 18 December 1883, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Thi: Amateur Dramatic Club's* entertainment, which came off lioio last night in the Public Hall, was, coi).sid(3i'ing the state of the weather and badness of the roads, fairly successful, some l">0 people being present. The performance itself was a most admirable one, which was fully appreciated by the audience piesent, the applause at the end of each act being enthusiastic and unanimous, which no doubt had r good effect in stimulating the actors to do their very best to rewaid so attentive and admiring potions of this club. The Te Awamutu bi.iss band, undei Bandmaster Sibley, wa-. present in stiong foice, and played seveial choice selections of music m good style. The pieces chosen were, the amusing comedy, " A Day after the Fair," followed by the screaming farce, "The Aiea Belle." Tv the fiist piece " Old Figit," a gentleman troubled with nerves, was capitally rendered by Mr W. M. Chappell. Mr Stirlive, a gentleman character sustained by Mr T. Heilihoy, most creditably diessed, and acting the chauicter to the life. " Jerry," his sei vant, Mr J. Chailton, the principal character, was up to any previous performance of that gentleman, if it did not, as many thought excel them. Hi.s acting of "Ham "VViiv," the drunken cobbler, was as good a bit of low comedy a.s could bo produced by any amateur tioupe, while Mill. Finch as "Abraham Clod" was fully up to the mark in sustaining his character. Miss J. Finch's part of "Polly" wa.s simply perfect, taken as an amateur performance. She both looked and acted the assumed characters of " Susan Scub" and " Mrs Maypole," to the life, with the mof-t charming vivacity. She was most vehemently applauded, as woie all the actois at the fall, of the cuitain. After the interval followed the farce, the " Aiea Belle," which was equally successful, but it did not rival the previous piece, the playing throughout being most lively and spirited. Miss Finch, ai the " Belle," was again most successful in carrying the audience witli her. " Many a Star Actress would have envied her, had they been present, " I heard an old playgoer remark. Miss Stunner, as the " Missus," was an excellent representation. This young lady, almost new to the stage, caused no little surprise at the advance she has already made. Mr Hallet, as " Tosser," was, it is almost unnecessary to mention, at home completely. His acting left nothing to be desired. His' grand surprise was the rendering of the song, " Joe in the Copper." The applause was tumultouB, and entreating for an encore, but the effort was too much. " Tosser" went on with his supper, and would not respond. Mr Halls, as " Pitcher," the rival policemen, fond of a supper, was a most capital performance, as was also the part of " Chalk," Mr (*. Finch. In fact, the audience were kept in one continual roar of laughter, from the commencement of the piece until, amidst delighted cheers, the fall of the curtain, The usual dance, to the , music of the. band,' oonalucjed a most pleasant evening's amusement. The club will next make tneir appearance ori Boxing Night, in aid of the funds of the library. There ris little local news stirring. The whole talk here i just now being the extraordinary weather we are getting ' at this season of the year. Never a day without rain for .some * months "past, and still coming down as I write. The roads are fts. Iwj iitjqirt here np.waa oj aily $inie'd.uriug the w^n^er. f , A good quantity of the potato crops will' be 1 spoiled by the' excessive mois|jure ? ',"/■',,, t * i !' Tatyhi»Q wrote to* some" of hiVp'eople here thai/jho 1 >,wojild r fprobably/{f*mve /'on* ,the ,16th insti, He was then atihe,,Hsi flls grandchildren, / wh'oin hatook there for bathing, they being ill with a skin .djseaJ&B. t>f-uiWi Wfli Mt.K't'f\ I ! *' X The mm now.le^v^/lferfi.tegqlar^ftdr

out let or interference by the natives, returning on Saturday. , I hear that Mr J<V»Edgecumbe, Governmont surveyor, will proceed to examine the old Maori track. — (Own Correspondent! >