Page:Sarawak Gazette 4 January 1907 Issue No 492.pdf/8

8 14th Race, 3.45 p. m. — — Entrance fee $1. Winner of the 6th race to pull with 13 and 2nd in 6th race with 14 paddles only. 1st prize $15 to owner and $15 to Crew. 2nd prize to Crew $7.50. From Batu Biliong to Stone Wharf.

Sejelli, in spite of only having 13 paddles came in first by about a yard. Masil managing to get into 2nd place this time. No. 3 close up. This is the 2nd year in succession that Sejelli has won this race.

15th Race, 4 p. m. — — For bona fide fishing boats: Crews limited to 15 men. 1st prize $22.50. 2nd prize $15. From Ban Seng's Sago Factory to Stone Wharf.

1 Abang Abdillah, 2 Rais.

16th Race, 4.15 p. m. — — One man sculling (Dayong Ikan). 1st prize $2. 2nd prize $1. 3rd prize 50 cents. From the Stone Wharf round H. H. S. Zahora and back to Stone Wharf.

1 Alli, 2 Udin, 3 Jen.

17th Race, 4.45 p. m. — — Value $70. Open to all boats that have not won a race at this meeting. Entrance fee $1. 1st prize to Crew $25. 2nd prize to Crew $15. From Batu Biliong to Stone Wharf.

An easy win for Api Naraka.

Following the example of last year, some Europeans in ship's gigs indulged in a race, much to the danger of some of the racing boats which were coming down stream after one of the Races. One boat was upset, and though this means nothing much to the natives who all swim like fish, it may mean a good deal to the boats which are lightly built and not in any way able to stand collision; it is not an easy thing to turn a bont of the length of those used for racing out of the way when a sudden collision is imminent, we would therefore suggest that notice of an intended race be given to the proper authorities who can then clear the course, and any boat which after that gets in the way takes its own risk.

On the 29th an amateur theatrical performance was given in the Govt. School house here which lends itself admirably to this kind of entertainment. The curtain rose at 9 o'clock to the first piece "CHISELLING. This farce has been so often performed and is so well known that no description is needed here, it is sufficient to say that the acting was distinctly good and the make up of the performers excellent, Dr. Wellington's particularly so in the part of Dr. Stonecrop. Mr. F. G. Day as the bibulous statue in his song "Beer, Beer, Beautiful Beer" so appealed to the male portion of the audience that a rapid adjournment to the bar at the termination of the piece seemed a perfectly natural coincidence.

At 10 o'clock was presented the amusing comedy "THE SNOWBALL" which might equally well be designated "The Entanglement of Felix Tise latter unfortunate individual thinking, in a moment of weakness, to outwit and give a lesson to his wife "Mrs. Featherstone," admirably presented by Mrs. Sharp, gets badly left and has, to say the least of it, a very poor time. Mrs. Wellington as "Penelope" was sufficiently fascinating to excuse the gloomy suspicions of "Uncle John" played by Mr. F. G. Day and founded apparently on his own youthful escapades, his appearance certainly lending colour to the belief that he must have had a "fearful past." Finally "Felix" regains the dubious possession of his marital authority, the process being proved a somewhat expensive one to himself and for "Uncle John." "Felix" was played with effect by Mr. Stuart Cunynghame and the other parts convincingly and naturally by Mr. Ellis as "Prendergast," Dr. Wellington as "Saunders and Miss Johns as "Ethel Granger."

In conclusion, to draw uparisons between the performers would be invidious, it is sufficient to say that the whole thing was distinctly good and the staging of both pieces reflects the greatest credit on Archdeacon Sharp. Church and Stage in his person being once more happily united.

Another performance is announced to take place on January 5th and should be well attended.

The full caste was as follows:—

Harry Larkspur, (a Sculptor) Mr. Stuart

Cunynghame

Scene. Larkspur's Studio.

Scene. A room in Featherstone's house.

An extra performance was given on the evening of Regatta Day, 1st January, so that those who had come to attend the Regatta and were unable to stay on might have an opportunity of seeing the two pieces should they wish to do so. The evening was unfortunately wet but cleared up a little before the curtain rose, and the rain fortunately held off during the performance. Had it been otherwise it would have been very difficult for the performers to have made themselves heard. Both pieces went even better than on the first occasion, and the audience, if small, were certainly very appreciative.