THE ZOO CONCERT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 152, 21 March 1908, Page 6

THE ZOO CONCERT.

TIIO concert, which had been organised t with' the object of raising 'funds for the''Citizens* Zoological Gardens, and particularly for the purchase- of a mate for the lion, took place in the Town Hall last evening. There was'.a poor' attendance of the-public, 'and : the big hall had a cheerless aspect. ■ : An excellent programme had been arranged , ■for the concert by 'Mr." Horace Hunt, : 'and , 'a party of locar amateurs/ His Worship the Mayor * was present, and ■ delivered . a few' introductory, remarks.. He referred .to the-educa-tive value'of. such.a collection of animals as a few- local enthusiasts, would like to see installed at-the' Park. The study, of comparative anatomy was of great value both educativ'cly and historically.' ' ... The - entertainment which, followed ' waa worthy of. a larger audience—rain or no rain— than that. which assembled. The opening number was an organ solo,"Romance in D Flat" (Lemare),. by Mr., Horace Hunt, Mus. Bac.- Mr. Hunt also played, later in'the evening,' GuilmaritV "Marclie Funebre et 1 Chant Seraphiquc." Mr. Arthur Ballance took for'' his firsts selection. Alfred Hill's "My Fairest Child," the violin obbligato. being played by the composer.' This' was a popular item, the singer being recalled,. when he 'sang "Time was I Roved the Mountains" (Lohr). Mrs. C. N. Worsley sang "Mon Coeur S'ouvre, a ta Voix" (Saint. Saens), a charming air. Miss Gertrude Hunt, who has : an excellent voice, is new to Wellington andienceß. Her singing of Tosti's "Goodbye," and Noel Johnston's setting of "Good hight, Beloved" (her encore number), created a . very favourable impression. Miss Hunt also tooK part, with Mr. Ballance, in the Woodforde-Finden duet, "Kingfisher Blue." One of the most popular item's was the "Waiata Poi" song (Alfred . Hill), which was sung'by the composer himself. Miss was very successful in'singing of-" The Links o' Love" (Needham), being recalled. •' Other items were: the: violin . solo "Andante" (Horace Hunt), and "Souvenir," bv Herr Max Hoppe; 'cello, solo, "Andante" 1 (IClengel), bvMr.'F; E. Johnstone; flute solo, "Brilliante"Concert," Iby Miss N; Simpson; and the male quartette, "Beauteous- Clouds" (Werner), by Messrs. Scarle, Carl', Warren, . and Hallcy.: : , i The accompaniments were played by MisS' Amy Remington - and- Mr. Horace Hunt. During .the'evening tho Rev. D-. C. Bates addressed the audience, and' solicited their support' for..a -scheme for the establishment of a properly organised zoological collection; ■ A meeting of the Citizens' Zoological . Gardens' Committee will bo held at tho Newtown Library ■ on- Wednesday -.evening- next..'