THE SCOTCH CONCERT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1372, 16 October 1886, Page 2

THE SCOTCH CONCERT

Tlu' b»vi n h mouul concert under the au'o'tc-s ■>•' th' Athhurtoa Oafedoman t>- » a hi Id at the Town Hall last evening. Aa is a r w-ys the otaa on ihe ;cc isi u of concerts by this Society, the erge hail w>i co wled, and it an early stage of the pro'oedlngs, every inch of room was appropriated, and at the back a good mint' persons had to stand fir >ughut the con’art. The weather being avor-bln a very large number of oounrrv people were present. Shortly before 8 o’clock the curtain rose, disp'aying the company of “ kilted men,” and the first it- m in the programme, the Highland -alate was given. Mr A.. MeKty, in the absence of P per Tolmia, contributed a Highls-i d pibroch of wi ich lovers of bagpipe mui c duly feaifiod their appreciation. The grand Highland Reel fo - lowed, the dancers being Messrs 1) McLean (the evergreen President of the Society), Gallie, Morris m, and Lyon The reel was sprit dy performei, and the dancers we>e londly applauded oo its oouo’usinn Miss Kidd, who is an old favorite at 'shhur'on co certs, contributed “ Scottish bluebells,” and was wsrmly applauded. The bayonet exercise was gone through by a team of the Ashburton Rifles, under the command of Captain Dolman. Although the space for the execution of the movements was very limited, the citizen soldiers acquitted themselves in a style that reflects the highe-t credit on the tuition of OolorSergeant. Hayes, especially aa some of the men have only been members of the company for some two or three months. Mr A. Harri on contributed a song in his usual good style, and the audience manifested their desire for its repetition—a desire which, however, was not gratified A Highland fling by Lagmhor Highlanders, Messrs Morrison, Gallie, and Lyon, which was redemanded, was the next item. Mrs Or sp saog a song for which she was encored, and the audience would brook no re f usal to accede to the d-sira fra n petit! m A real by Masters Mcßae (4) w«s excellently rendered, and the vigorous efforts of the smallest—a little mite of a fellow of perhaps five summers were provocative of much amusement and applause. The item was redemanded Mr D. Brick performed an Irish jig in spirited style s.ud had to repeat it. A violin solo was given by Mr Wood in that goutlemm’s oust mary excellent manner. A ‘‘foursome reel” was the next item It was redemanded ; the executants being the same aa in the grand Highland reel in the early pare of the programme. The first part of the entertainment was brought to a close by the sog “Mi ne ,’s Fairy Gien,” sang by Miss Dick, who was encored The second part opened with an eightsome reel- Miss Dick followed with the song “ nf con Water” which was heartily encored. The sword dance was well executed by Mr A. McKay, the society’s pipe- The song, “> he Old Brigade,’* w-is well rendered by Mr Atkinson, and was encored Mr A, Fitzjerald infused

• enty of life into the Irish jig which feu to his share, a')d of cause he had to repeat the performance. Mias BJ. Bntle< sang “ Auld Rohln Gray" very nicely for which she was enc red. Mr Do ad McLean, the president, was lonely applaud d on his appearance on the stage to perform the Highland fling fo which he was set down and a veldeserved recall after the performance had to be rerponded to. Mias Kidd gave a very pleasing rendition of “Robin Adair,” tor which she was vociferously encired. Mr J. W. Mcßae showed how th.e reauntretua ought f> be danced. He did not respond to the unanimous re-call made, but one of his sons—a worthy ohm o- 'h old block—>ipp a-ed in his stead. Mr ■impsotj, who was se‘- down fo « sonu, was unavoidably absent, an • v.o in solo by Mr Wo id was aubs'i n*ed and executed with that gent'emao’s nsu» care and sk.ll. Jbe Reel of Tulloch bj the President and Masters Mcßae (3; followed, and like Its predecessors, was redemanded. The singing of “ Anld Lang Syne'* by “ ilka ane in the boose” brought the concert to a cl< se. During the evening the bagpipe music was supplied by Messrs McKay and Mabin, the former also supplying tbi violin music for the Irish dances. M J, H. Brooks acted as musical directo and acc iirip wiist. A ball was subsequently held, whic was largely attended, and dancing was kept up vrivh spirit for several hours.