ENTERTAINMENT AT WAKANUI.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 133, 31 July 1880, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT WAKANUI.

Last night an entertainment was given in the Wakanui Schoolroom, in aid of the local Library, and we are glad to say tha the effort made to replenish the exchequer was highly successful, a very handsome sum having been realised. The Chairman of the School Committee—Mr. A. G. Earle —had been very active in recruiting friends to take part in the the entertainment, and when the opening hour arrived he had marshalled a very fair company. A piano was kindly lent by Mrs. Gibson, and Mr. Gibbs played the overture, after which Mr. Alfred Harrison sang in that pleasing way of his “ The Village Blacksmith,” receiving the applause he always merits. Two local gentlemen, whose names we did not catch, then tickled the audience with comic songs, the Irish items being particularly droll. Mrs. Gibbs followed with “Thy voice is near me,” being very happy in the rendering of the song. Then Mr. James Brown read, in the purest Scotch, the story of how Habby and Janet, a “boosing” couple, raised the wind, and he succeeded in raising much laughter. Mr. and Mrs. Craighead contributed songs each very effectively—- “ Mary o’ Argyle ” being a great favorite ; and Mrs. Dunn sang two Scotch songs with effect. Miss Stewart naively detailed the “ Stairhead Battle,” and was a fund of amusement; then Mr. H. A. Gates took the house by storm with several comic songs, having to respond to repeated encores. A violin solo by Mr. Nettleton was no unimportant feature in the programme, and the bagpipes of Mr. Elder must not bo forgotten. Several duets, etc., were also sung, the accompaniments to these and to the songs being played by Miss Gates in her usual style; and it was far past ten o’clock before the programme was got through. When it was finished votes of thanks were given to the visitors, to Mrs. Gibson for ths loan of her piano, and to the chairman. Mr. Ginney, the schoolmaster, kindly entertained the visitors at the school-house, and Miss Ginney was particularly attentive to them. After the concert was over a dance took place in the school, at which G. F. Scott was M. C., the music being supplied by Messrs. Nettleton, Elder, and others.