KAIHIKU CONCERT.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 172, 26 October 1877, Page 6

KAIHIKU CONCERT.

Mr Robert. Ayson's music class at Kaihiku was brought to a close on Thursday, the 18th inst., by a concert of sacred music. This c]*>ss has met regularly once a week for the last six mouths, and considering the wretchedness of the state into which the Kaihiku roads have fallen, and the long- distances many have had to come, it is surprising that such a large number of young ladies and gentlemen should have attended it, and it is still more wonderful that Mr Ayson should never once have been absent from his post. A fine evening, an attractive programme, and Mr Ayson's reputation as a musician, combined to draw an audience which completely filled the capacious schoolroom. The. Rpv. J. Waters, Warepa, acted as Chairman, Mr J. Anderson as door-keeper, and Mr Moore gave himself no end of trouble in making everybody comfortable. The first part of'the programme consisted of a service of sacred song, illustrative of scenes from the Pilgrim's 'Progress. Mr Waters read the extracts from Bnnya'n, while the Choir followed with music more or less avropos to the scenes described. Amongst the songs were, " Wouldn't thou be Saved," " Courage, brother," " Knock and it shall be opened," '« We'll journey together to Zion," Ac, <fee. 'Ihe Choir* acquitted itself to the satisfaction of all, and showed by the taste, steadiness, and expression with which the selections were snug, that Mr Ayson had been a careful teacher, and that his pupils had been dilligent students. The second part of the programme was of a more varied description, and was even more successful than the first. It opened with the good old psalm tune. St. Asaph, in tbe singing of -which the treble of the young ladies of Kaihiku shone to grpat advantage. Then followed some of Sankey's hymns, excellently sung, but which, like most music in. which the classical element is awanting, rather pall upon tlie taste by repetition. A duet, sung by young ladies from Ware,pa, entitled "Theres a Light

in .he Valley," was a mo^t decided sunees-*, which the audience was inclin"d t > shock the Chairman by applaudino*. Mr Ayson next sang- a solo, "I'm a Pilgrim nnd a Stranger." Hitherto the audience had been rp.s trained from applauding by the sacred nature of the pieces sung, hut at the conclusion of Mr Ayson's song there was a most hearty burst of applause, which testified to rim high estimation in which Mr Ayson is held by the people of* Iv-.ihiku. More of Sankey and tlm Psalmody foilowpd, and the proceeding's WDtind up with what 'iv called there, a National Anthem— *• God defend A'ew Zealand?' Anything sung by Mr Ayson and his sweet-voiced choir is sure to be acceptably but we think ie a pify that he should waste his talents in givintr-cur-rency to piece of paltry music and tawdry sentiment, wliich we shall he sorry to see included among our -national airs Rev. J. Waters c mgratulated the young ladies of the distriot upon their proficiency, and the great progress they had mado under Mr Ayson's tuition. Mr Moore, in the name of the class, expressed their warmest thanks to Mr Ayson for the valuable services he had rendered to the district. Mr Waddelk Warepa, in an eloquent speech, returned thanks on Mr Avson's behalf The proceedings were then brought to a close.