ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 3214, 31 January 1893, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

Entertainment.—The second cntc.rlaiii--111 ont in aid of the pirsonage fund, the first of which took place a short time since at To Awamutu, was given in our Public Hall here on Friday evening last. Owiug doubtless to the busy season just now amongst our farmers, the attendance was not so large as tlio abilities of those who promoted the amusement, and the good cause for which tlio entertainment was to assist deserved, On this occasion Jupiter Pliivins was favourable, and a more delightful evening could not have been wished for to enablo visitors from a distanco to arrive and return to their homes. For an amateur entertainment, the individual performers, both at the concert and the three-act comedy that followed, were far above the . average generally met with at similar country gatherings. Tho manager g was also fortunate in obtaining the valuable services of Mr E. A. Farrinston, of the T. M. Jackson, Auckland Concert Company, now visiting the district, and which will open at Hamilton, on Tuesday next, the 31st inst.' This gentlemen kindly gave his torvicos and was II host ill hltn* self in his particular lino as a reciter. His recitation, " How I have Heard TennyBon's Lines on the Charge of tho Light Brigade, Recited by Various Persons on Various Occasions," fairly convulsed tho audience. His facial expression, and humourous delivery were extraordinary, and should go a long way to help the company in filling the halls in ffaikato. Mr W. S. Rutherford presided at the musioal portion of tho programme which commonccd with an overture on the piano, by Miss Aubin, a most skillful performance and loudly applauded. Song, >■ Children's Home," Miss S. Aubin, was 'sweetly rendered. This young lady's ' /voice as it grows stronger, improves in quality, her vowilisifl, was much udnnrcd and applauded, an encore was howevor, acknowledged only by a bow. Song, "Steering Home,!! Mr R. Basanko, a capital song, very well simp. Song, " Ol'a Pro Nobis," Mrs Long. This item was rendered in this lady's best ccanner, and (was. as. usual, most heartily appreciated, Song, "Many Mansions," Miss White. This was the-first appear- ' anco of this young lady in an Alexandra Hall. She has a sweet voice, and her song was a great success. The last item on tho programme before the interval, was the introduction of Mr E, A, Farrington

who, as I have already mentioned, gave various imitations of people who recited, or attempted to do so ( Tennyson s " Charge of the Light Brigade," The applauso at its conclusion was overwhelming, and an encore imperative, In response Mr Farrington recited " One of Two" in a most felioitous style, sending out the audience for the interval to recuperate their exhaustion from laughter by a visit to Mrs Pinch's hostelry, where just a taste of Old Smuggler was au absolute necessity. On returning to the hall the three-act comedy, " Fortune's Toy," was staged, with the following cast Tom Cobb. Mr E, H. Aubin ; Whipple, Mr Cruickshank; Colonel O'Fipp (an Irish swindler), Mr Geo. Miles j Mr Effingham, Mr Chappell; Bulstrode (his son), Mr Bowden; Mrs Effingham, Miss Bowden; Caroline Effingham, Miss Allen; Matilda O'Fipp, Miss Aubin; Mary Jane (a servant), Miss M. Edenborough, The comedy was a most successful performance throughout, all being well up in their rcipective parts. Tom Cobb had a difficult part to play, but was fully equal to the occasion, and was often loudly applauded. Ml' Cruickshank (whOi* it is confidently anticipated here, will be New Zealand's future Attorney-General), of course played well up to time, and greatly assisted in the success of the piece, Mr Miles as the old rogue of a colonel well sustained the character throughout. O'Toolo is only a circjinstance to him. ■Mr Chappell as Effingham was a revelation in the make-up, and his acting as the-fatlier of the family left nothing to be desired. . The ladies in their places many thought did more than their share in the success of the comedy. Miss Aubin as Matilda O'Fipp, played mostexcollcntly, thoroughly identifying herself with the part she ponrtraved in a most charming manner. Miss Bowden was a most realistic representative of Mrs Effingham, her acting throughout being natural to the character she represented, Miss Allan as Caroline, it is needles? to say, was simply perfect, her enuueiation and iictiugthoughmit being fully equal to a first-class professional.. Miss Edenborough had only a small part allotted to her, but made the most of it, in a very

humorom manner. At the conclusion of

the play all the actors were called before the curtain and vehemently applauded. An adjournment was then mado to the library, were refreshments were served and heartly enjoyed, after which a majority returned to the Hall and enjoyed themselves with (lancing until an early hour.;. '■,-■■■

Weather and Crops.—lt is to be hoped the fine weather we have experienced these last few days will continue, so that the harvest can he secured, At Whatiwhatihoe the natives have a good crop of wiisat and oats on that apparently inexhaustible anil, which they are now harvesting, All tho potatoes there wore lost in the flood, so that the harvesting safely of the grain is to them, as to many of the Europeans, a matter of serious importance,

A Noisanoe,-Although busy there, it is a great pity they have no care as to sanitary affairs, Lying on the side of the ■Whatiwhatihoe road is a dead horse, Quite a number of us who had to pass it on the return from the Alexandra concert w?re made ill by it. The stench at night was fearful, and there is no doubt it will remain to be a nuisance to all that pass for some time to come, if not dangerous to life, ,

Fire.-A fire broke out here on Thursday,night last in a cottage, tho property of Mr John Burns, but in tho occupation of Mr Jesse Sage. It appears Sage was in bed, when between 12 and 1 a.m. he was awakened by the fire and smoke, and 80 escaped from the burning building. There was an insurance on it for the last ten years in the Union Company, now transferred to the Alliance, for £SO, but, unfortunally for tht owner, a poor man, the. policy lapsed on the list inst., the premium not having been paid. Whether the company will be generous remains to be seen.