A PARLIAMENTARY INTERLUDE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1291, 27 June 1884, Page 2

A PARLIAMENTARY INTERLUDE.

The special reporter of the New Zealand Herald , telegraphing on the 16th inat., gives the following amusing account of an imaginary concert in the Parliamentary Buildings:—By a happy coincidence Mr George Jones had come up on a visit from Oamaru, and it is needless to say that he had brought his fiddle with him. Therefore “there was a sound of revelry by night” in Parliament Buildings on Saturday night, nor did the music wholly cease yesterday (Sunday), though as to whether all that was rendered was of a strictly sacred character may be a matter of doubt, of which those concerned are entitled to the benefit. Anyhow, on Saturday night the hon. legislators must have enjoyed a good time, for, if report is to be believed, there was almost a regular concert, which went off famously; but the worst of it is you cannot believe all you are told in these matters. What King David said in his haste of every adult he might have said at full leisure of some of the people about Parliament Buildings in session time, and though there must be some foundation for what follows, the most implicit credence should not be given to every detail, as several of them seem manifestly improbable, even although it may ha said of thedi si non e mro e hen trovato Well, the tale of' those who profess to know is that the following impromptu programme was rendered :—“ Here we meet to part again ” having been sung by everyone, a glee, “ The Happy Family,” was rendered by a number of voices selected from the Opposition. Mr Swanson sang “Willie’s Qane Awa ” in a pathetic manner, «hioh visibly affected the hearers. Mr Dargaville next rendered “ Blasted Hopes," and several gentlemen from Canterbury and the Auckland districts gave the “ Conspirators’ Chorus ” frem “ Madame Angot.” Mr Wakefield next favored the company with a reading from “ Great Expectations,” and then all hands sang “We’ll all go marching home again, hurrah” with much gusto. The next piece given was “ The Rivals.’ but whether this is a'trio, quartette, quintette, sestette, or what, is not stated, nor who sang in it, beyond that Sir George Grey and Mr Montgomery took the leading parts, the fine voice of being heard above all others in the concerted portions. Major Atkinson, being called on, gave “ I’m Loth to Leave the Place I Love and the farcical “ We’ll turn ’em out," frdSithe “Grand Duchess,” was then trolled off by a number of voices. Mr Wakefield having sung nicely the troubadour ballad “ Oh, Listen, Gentles, to the Lyre,” Mr Rolleston was proceeding to give a reading from “ Progress and Poverty,” which being received with disfavor, he gave the Major-General’s song in the Pirates, “ With all its faults we love our House of Peers ” Mr Montgomery next rendered “Resignation,” with great forcebut was not encored, and then an hon member essayed to sing “ The Patriot,” but having forgotten the words and no one else knowing the song, he substituted Gather the Bawbees while ye may,” and a recitation “ The Charge of the Pour Hundred,” followed. Mr Dargaville sang “ Crushed Again,” and Mr Mitohelson “ We’ve Hardly Met before we Part," and in reply to an encore ' * Give me yet Another Chance ” ; Mr Montgomery began to sing “ Separation,” but desisted on perceiving that ho was not being listened to, and Messrs Morris, Whitaker, George and Major Harris sang the quartette “ Adieu.” Mr Bryce gave the music hall song “Don’t Think, Dear Boys, I’m Done For Yet,” and then “Home, Sweet Home,” and “ Auld Lang Syne ” by the company ended the cjncert. Yesterday there was no set programme, but several selections from oratorios were given. A well-known tenor sang (by general request) “ Quis eat Homo," which was followed by the chorus “ Morituri Salutamus,” in which only a few joined. “Ecce Homo ” was then rendered by a powerful baritone voice, the effect of which was lessened by the rattling up of the cab containing Sir Julius Vogel from the steamer. Subsequently almost every voice united in singing the grand “Dissolution” chorus from that ancient masterpiece

** Adam,” and in this the volume of sound was so great as to have an overwhelming effect.