HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL CONCERT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1424, 4 December 1886, Page 2

HAMPSTEAD SCHOOL CONCERT.

The concert in aid ul the funds now being raised for the first annual treat of the ohil .Iren attending the Hamps ead public school, which took place last evening at the Odd•e,lows’ Hall, was in every respect a greai success. The Hall was filled to the doors by a highly appreciative audience, and from first to last the programme was not only a thoroughly enjoyable one, but was evidently i* .oroughiy enjoyed. The infant classes wupiad raised seats on the platform, and a healthier, hapi ier, better dressed and better mannered set. o little people it wasnevtr our ot to see. Hampstead may be proud of its rising genera ion, and their excellent training reflected as great credit upon tbeir teachers es their neat appearance did upon themselves and their parents. The chair was taken by Major Steward, M.H.8., who opened the proceedings by a few remarks. The first item on the programme was a pianoforte duet, “ Gaiet6 du Cceur ” (the Misses Otwayl very nicely given, and this was followed by the favorite duet, “ Huntingtower,” rendered by Mr and Mrs Maclean Dunn in a really admirable manner. Then came an " action song ” by Miss Shirtolifla’a well-drilled little pupils, given charmingly, and eliciting for them the heartiest applause; and next Mrs Denshire’s beautifully rendered song, “ Two Wings.” Miss Alcorn (accompanied by her sister on the pianoforte) then gave the pretty lictle song “ Under the Willows,” and Master Hoare succeeded in two senses of the word with a touching recitation, in which he told the pathetic story of a little matobseller. After another “ action song ” by the infant classes, capitally given, Mrs Maine favored be audience with a brilliantly executed f anoforte sole, being succeeded by Miss feoiiugloa, quite a little lassie, who ia possessed of an excellent, voice, and used it remarkably well, too, in the favorite song. “ Our Jack’s come home to-day.” She was deservedly loudly encored, (indeed, almost everybody was, but in this case the audience would take no denial) and repeated the last verse. Miss Barratt’s Bong “ Gates of the West,” which was the next item, was one of the best, it □ot the beet thing of the evening, and Mr Brooks’ song “ The Skipper’s Flag” was, it is needless to say, done full justice. A third “ action song” by the infant classes, and

then the recitation “ After the Battle of Flodden,” creditably given by Master Otway; after which Mrs Denshire, accompanied on the flute by Mr Jameson, gave in exquisite style the very pretty song *• Only Dreams.” Mr McLean Dunn, who followed, fairly brought down the house wbh a humorous “ Story of a Dog,” most amusingly told, and Miss Penlington changed the current from the comic to the pathetic by the simple bat pretty little ditty “ Won’t yoa.bay my pretty flowers,” of which she carried an exceedingly choice basketful, another little lassie (Miss Fowke) playing the accompaniment with much judgment and taste. Then the High* land Fling was nicely danced by Masters Johnnie and Bobbie Moßae, the latter to our mind showing the prettier steps, and bo h being greeted with well-earned plaudits. Miss Alcorn then gave very nicely “ The Christian Martyr,” and was followed by Mr and Mrs Dunn in the good old favorite *' Ye Banks and Braes,” with violin and pianoforte accompaniment (Messrs Wood and Brooks). Then cam" a capital song (Mr Gates) ‘ As the old cook crows the youug ones learn,” and after yet another “ action song” by the little people, and votes of thanks to all the performers and to the school teachers passed by acclamation, the concert was appropriately brought to an end about ten o’clock by the singing of the National Anthem.