CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2388, 29 October 1887, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE.

Character Concert,— A character concert was given in the Town Hall, Cambridge, on Thursday evening, in aid of S. Paul’s Wesleyan Church, and was a pronounced success, the hall being Idled. Many of the country settlers who had attended the races stayed to the concert, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy it. The performance was got up by Miss Walker, of Monavale, who very wisely secured Mr George Shirley as her lieutenant, and consequently tho scenic effects were carried out in a must perfect manner, time and trouble nut being evidently spared. The programme opened with “John Pool,” a well-known north country limiting song. Mr Chas. Hunter took tha solo, and was supported by a chorus of huntsmen, all of whom were attired in hunting dress. This song was not a success, owing to an unfortunate mistake, the soloist using a wrong edition of the song. Mrs Hugh Ferguson thou gave ‘'Jessie’s Dream” very nicely. She was attired ns a Scotch lassie. Air W. Chambers followed with “Tell her I love her so,” and did full justice to the song, but we do not think it as suitable for a baritone voice as for a tenor. The “Indiana Waltz” was then played by Misses Mnckay and Moon. The duet, “The Gipsy Countess,” was given in character, Mrs Henry Reynolds taking the part of "Zillah,” and Air H. Steele “The Earl.” This was a very pretty scene, and is considered by many to have been the gem of the evening. The singing and acting were both good, Airs Reynolds entering thoroughly into the spirit of the piece. The song “The Distant Shore,” by Sullivan, was rendered by Mrs Chambers in her well-known sympathetic style, and proved very effective. This lady suffered under a great disadvantage by having the accompaniment played upon a piano that was some distance from the stage, and very much out of tune (it is needless to say it was the hall one). “Wo Tars ” was sung by Air Hy. Wilson. The first part of tha programme concluded with “Sally in our Alley,” Air Shirley taking tho part of the apprentice, and Miss Walker “ Sally’” In this again both the acting and singing were good, and Aliss Alackay, in the last verse, caused roars of laughter. The first song after the interval was “ Gipsy John,” a most weird introduction in a minor key, to which, however, Mr Shirley did fv.ll justice. The encampment was most perfect, every little detail having been attended to. The tent was occupied by two very pretty gipsies, the Misses Clark and Gaue, while in another, Airs Reynolds was telling fortunes. Several others were preparing “ the stew,” and Mr J. McNicol portrayed the tramp who begs a meal of them. Tho whole of the characters in this scene were exceptionally good. Airs Chambers sang “ The Kerry Dance,” and Air Walter Chambers “ Vanity,” both being well'rendered, the latter being encored, and “The Old Brigade’’substituted. The duet, “ Why are you Wandering Hero Fair Maid" was given in character by Aliss AYenie Walker and Air Shirley, and was equally successful with the former ones. Mrs Reynolds sang “ Close to the Threshold'’ in a very pleasing manner, and Miss Jessie Wilson played a pianoforte solo “ Gaito de Cceur” in a masterly style. Tho last on the programme was “ What a fine hunting day,” in which Air C. Hunt, dressed in hunting rig, appeared by Himself, sang a verse, in which lie said it was such a remarkably fine day that he must go ahuntiiig. He was afterwards joined by Mr W. Chambers, as a farmer ; Mr Shirley, as a village doctor; and Air H. AVilson as a judge. They each had a verse, iu which they all made the tine day an excuse for going hunting. In this Air H. AVilson’s get up as the judge was particularly good, as was also Air Shirley’s as the, doctor. “ John Peel” was then repeated with better success, and the National Anthem closed the proceedings. The whole of tho character songs were encored,'and we think deservedly, for both singing and acting were exceptionally good. Bucking Houses.— A most nnusual sight was witnessed in Cambridge yesterday afternoon. Mr J. McNicol was holding a large horse sale, and among others offered a pair of horses by Ariel, own brothers, aged four and five. They were ridden by brothers., Messrs Nat and Segar Mason, and when trotted out into the open space opposite the library, treated the spectators to as fine a bucking duct as as anyone could wish to see. When it was over the Messrs Mason were cheered, and the horses sold for £27.

The Mayorality. —Yesterday morning the Mayor of Cambridge (Air Gwynnoth), and councillor Clements waited upon councillor James Hally, and after some pursuasion induced him to allow himself to be nominated for the civic chair for the forthcoming year. Air Hally is an old inhabitant of Cambridge, and would wo think be a fitting person for the office of Mayor, and if elected will doubtless give every satisfactory.

Tub R. M. Court. —Thera was nut any business at the Cambridge Court yesterday, consequently theR.M, did not attend. A Weighty’ Argument.— Rather a (i.shy occurrence took place at Cambridge on Thursday evening, when two rival fish ladies had a somewhat animated dispute, during which one saluted the other with some weights, which were kindly returned through the other's window. The quarrel will probably be finished before Mr Northcroft, R.M. Special sale of Horses.— Messrs 4. Dockland and Co., yesterday offered a number of horses that had been culled from the stock of Messrs Grice and Co., E. B. Walker and C, J. Storey. Mr J. McNicol wielded the hammer, and did a hard days work which will however prove satisfactory, as out of 55 offered for sale only 4 wore passed in not having reached the reserve price. Tho whole of the Rotorangi horses were sold, the prices being as follows Draught horses £8 10s to £l9 Is ; hacks, £G 10s to £2l ; two-year-olds £3 5s to £ll. Mr 15. B. Walker’s draught horses, £ll to £2l; hacks, £(! 10s to £ls. Mr C. .1. Storey’s draught horses, £7 15s to £1(1 5s ; hacks, £l2 to £l6. This is one of the best horse sales that has taken place in the Waikato for some time, and certainly looks as if things were improving. A good number of horses were bought for the Thames, and other places at a distance.