LIBRARY ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2995, 24 September 1891, Page 2

LIBRARY ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

During tho time that Government gave subsides to libraries, it was sold >m that Cambridge in a concert for the benefit of its useful institution ; lint as thud time liiis passed, it is now iiKwsary to raise a considerable sum each year to defray working expenses and provide new books. Fortunately when tiin subsidy censed tlwre were those in thn town who had the interests of the library at heart, nnd al.«o tho ability to copo with the "icnalinn. Wn refer to Messrs George Dickinson and Charles Tuck, who appear to have entered into a holy alliance for the purpose of reacnii)2 tho library from its difficulties ; and right manfully havo they stuck to the task, each succeeding year having added fresh laurels to their brows until the present, which must have ro.icho.d the acme of their desires, unless tho Borough Council think tit to enlarge tho Public Hall bo as to accommodate a larger audieuos. In this alliance, Mr Dickinson takes tho part of manager wlnlo Mr Tuck poses as leading comedian, indeed in the former is looked upon as what tjala desicoates '"the Mullke of Man iROM," while thu latter is considorul a sort of double-barrelled Irving and Toole, rolled into one. With two such indivirltinlsat tho head of affairs, it cannot be wondered at that the entertainment given last Friday evening was a success, and when we state that thr. gro«s receipts were nearly U~>o and that fully £1.0 liad to be refused at the door, it. stamps it as perhaps the greatest success over obtained by any entertainment given in Cambridge. The thanks of the public are Hue to the two gentlemon namml ; to the librarian, who worked like a Truj-in, to the pmformers who appeared on the stage and the members of the orchestra ; to the Mayor and Town Clerk, who handed people to the reserved seats ; to all others who assited in various ways, an i to the Wesleyans who closed their bnz-inr so aa not to clash with the concert. Mr Dickinson had everything iu first class order ; >md the performance commenced punctually at 8 )'clock, the first part being a concert in which the Misses Kitrimer and Cissidy were the only lady singeisand MNs .1. Walker recited. Mr J. \V. Wallace %ma a couple of songs; Mr F. l'ilclier a song and recitation, and Mr G. W. Mayes attended to the comic department with songs and recitation. The Misses Archer played a pianoforte duet and the orchestra rendered throe pieces in an efficient mnniipr. The second part was the original farce, " Domestic Economy," the characters being :—John Grumley, Mr Charles Tuck : Surgt. Tom Brown, Mr W. Walker ; Joey (Grnmley's son), Master W. Tuck ; Mrs Grnmloy, Miss Roberts ; Mrs Shackles, Miss McKormin ; Mrs Knaglcy, Miss Mackay ; Peggy Brown, Miss Tuck. We regret we eanuot afford space, owing to tin; political matte!, to give an extended report of the iiiaiinnr in which the various performers acquitted themselves, indeed when all did so well it w.mld bo invi'iioiH to single out any f >r special mention; but it goes without saying that Misa Riinmor and Mr Tuck were the chiof attractions. Wβ regret to say the Cambridge larrikin crowd were represented at the entertainment, and greatly marred tho enjoyment of the rest of the audience.