The name of Mr Thomas Hudson, the pro prietor of this popular and successful troupe of artists, comedians, and musicians, will be familiar to lovers of mirth and music in

tliis city. The first surprise will take place on Monday eveuing next, in the Lorne street Hall. The Bound of the violiu at eight o'clock will notify the hour for the firing of the first minstrel shot. This first class troupe of white and coloured vocalists have just completed a satisfactory tour through the provinces of the South, and have resolved, before proceeding further on their pilgrimage, to give a scries of their exquisitely touching performances in the interest ofthe body politic and the body social. We notice that some of the artists have oomething more than a name, namely, au established reputation in the republic of music, and which have won Jor the troupe the enviable ami pleasant appellation of the "Surprise Party," which means that the party causes a surprise wherever they appear by a combination of wit, song, music, and sparkling versatility of language and poetry. We have heard some of these singers before, and have shaded our eyes from the illumination of the stars of the Hndsonian hemisphere. Seven portraits of the players appear on the posters, which even in a phrenological light denote capacity and well balanced faculties, each one in dicating the particular gift of the original. Miss Vena de Grey is said to be

the most accomplished violiniste that ever visited tho Australasian colonies, and whose talents have brought forth fiom that simply - coustructcd instru ment musical sounds and variations which have caused musicians of eminence to

listen and wonder. Miss A. Maven, as a character artist, and the sisters in their specialties, have been successful. Edward Glo\ er is reported as a comic artist, aud will make his bow for the first time, we believe, to an Auckland audience. Charles Wallace, the versatile American comedian, is one of the troupe—the renowned Charley, whose flashes of merriment, lively songs, and physical action never fail in awakening tlis laughter that rings in the hall where the voice and presence of Wallace are percep-

tible. 