The above popular comique made his -appearance at the Wharf Street Hall on Monday evening, and de spite the bad weather that pre vailed the building was crowded. Mr Bain's visit to Paeroa had for some time been looked upon with a great deal of pleasure, but owing to unavoidable'reasons he was un able to make his appearance in Paeroa on the date originally ar ranged. As a comique we are sure that Mr Bain is the best that has ever visited the gold fields. His performance - on Monday proved that beyond a doubt. For every song he sang won the hearty ap preciation of eveiyone present. Mr Bain's first soDg was " Styles of Singing," ia which he clearly mimiced aey ral characters at once put the audience in real good humour, and they knew at once that they were in for a good thing. And so they were, for each of his following renditions were perfect. " A Trip to the Sea Side " which Mr Bain is thoroughly master of fairly " broke up " the house. The applause was so great that the singer had to re-appear several times. Then again, thii song " I never enjoyed myself so much be foic " was most successful and created roars of laughter. The little fellow Claude Sullivan who is only eight years of age is a per fect wonder and is a great as sistance to Mr Bain. He has a fine voice and capital style, and fora child comique his equal would be hard to find. The " Theatre phone " which Mr Bain manipu lates is, as he says, the best in-the colonies. Its sounds could bo heard distinctly all over the hall. ■ Mr Bain staled at (he conclusion of the performance that ho would probably visit Paeroa again after his trip "up-country. Should he do so we feel sure he will be well re

ceived

China and the Chinese

A CHAT WITH A MISSIONARY

(Wellington Times.)

From,w.liat Mrs Stot, just re turned 'from Inland China, told a '( Times'" reporter last night. Sir Robert Hurt has sounder reasons than is generally supposed for his predictions as to the possibilities awaiting the development of. the Chinese ,and their adoption of Western civilisation. 