CORONATION NIGHT AT THE SAVAGE CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1163, 26 June 1911, Page 3

CORONATION NIGHT AT THE SAVAGE CLUB.

*- A LOYAL RESOLUTION. Tlio Wellington Savage Club kept "P Coronation Night at its korcro on Saturday evening, when nearly every item on the programme' glowed with patriotic sentiment. Mr. 1!. J. Collins, Chief Savage, occupied the chair, and there were present General Ciodley, Colonel Heard, Colonel Robin, Captain Burnett-Stuart, Captain T.iwUiiy (7th Lancers), Major Hughes, Lieutenant ltas.sam, and a number ol toritorial ofrieers. 11..M. Navy was represented by Coiniuander Siopfonl, of 11.M.5. Pioneer, and several of the officers of that warship and JI.M.S. Cambrian. To suit the occasion, the Masonic Hall was attractively decorated with bunting (including two largo ensigns lent by the war-ships), and a drawing of his Majesty the King, set in the centre of a large Union Jack, as a backing to the stage. The outstanding feature of the progi-amme was the choral singing, which, under Mr. D. Kenny, has been strongly developed. Pleasant memories of pleasant days were recalled by a spiriteel rendering of the Peers Chorus from "Jolanthe," and how curiously Gilbert's lines of twenty-live years ago hit upon the ear in the light of events. Tho chorus was magnificently sung. Another vigorouslysung chorus was "Tho Soldiers' Chorus" from "Faust," introduced as a finale to a lengthy "Faust" fantasia played by the orchestra. "The Empire's Call," by Mr. Alfred Hill, was lustily sung by Savage Stovens, supported by a chorus. Savage E. J. Hill sang "There's a King in tho Land To-day," from "The King of Cadonia," in ringing style (with chorus), and Savage J. M. Clark recited Shakespeare's speech of Henry V before Agincourt with dramatic conviction, and had to append an American sketch as an encore. Mr. Logan played a couple of violin solos most acceptably, and Mr. George Parsons sang tho Sentry's song from "lolanthe" (in uniform). The same opera also yielded "When Britain Really Ruled the Wave," sung well by Savage J. Doherty and chorus. The "same soloist also contributed "Rule Britanuia" as a finale. One of the most acceptable numbers on the programme was a new and charmingly melodious little song by Alfred Hill, entitled "My .Maori Maiden," sung in good taste by Savage- Fletcher, assisted in the harmonised refrain by Savages H. Mayer, H. Plimmer, and J. Doherty. Savage R. T. Robertson aroused the usual enthusiasm which always marks the efforts of this artist. . n ,' r, .1 1 During the evening General Godley delivered a most interesting address on the new defence scheme, and Commander Stopford, of H.M.S. Pioneer, explained how sorrv he was that he had recently held communion with a newspaper reporter. ~ It fell to Chief Savage Collins to strike the patriotic note in connection with the occasion they were celebrating. He said that never had a monarch been crowned under more hopeful auspices than those which had attended the Coronation of George V. The great Empire over which he ruled was greater now than it had been at anv previous period of its history. In New Zealand thev yielded to no one in the desire to see the British■ Empire built on a basis of solidity. I hey did not concede to anyone in loyalty to the Monarch who ruled over them, and in tho universal wish that was now being expressed in all parts of his Dominions for a long life, long reign, and all .lie blessings of health and strength for his Majestv King George and Queen -Mary there were no people, he was sure, more sincere than the members of the \\elington Savage Club. .Knowing tho feelin' of tho members he would ask leave to read a motion, which it was proposed to forward to the King, through the proper channel. The motion was: "That the Wellington Savage Club desires to record its respectful congratulations to his Majesty the King, upon his Coronation, and to express tho hope that the reign of his Majesty and Queen () Mary may be a long . and happy one."