SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1164, 27 June 1911, Page 6

SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

ARRIVAL AT AUCKLAND. CIVIC RECEPTION. LIVELY SCENE ON THE -WHARF. U!y Telegraph.—ProE3 Association.) Auckland, Juno-26. Queen Street Wharf was a scene of unusual bustle when the Wimmera, from Sydney, berthed a few minutes after nine o'clock this morning, bringing tho two hundred members of the famous Sheffield Choir to New Zealand. As the boat's fenders touched the wharffidc, a cheer of welcome went up from the people congregated on the wharf, and there was a bewildering waving of white cards bearing big black printed numbers. Arrangements had previously been made for the members' of the choir to be privately quartered amongst the citizens, and in each case the volunteering'host or hostess received a hospitality card bearing ' tho names'of their guests and their numbers. Each member of the choir was numbered, the hosts receiving the aforesaid whito cards with their conspicuous numbers (corresponding with the numbers of the hospitality cards), and it was. their duty to display the cards as. ttie tourists landed and bo claimed by the tourists who were on the watch fo'r their numbers; For some minutes, there'was a confusion of card-waving at tho ship's side, and a babel of varying formal and informal introductions, but gradually order evolved as hosts and guests drifted together. ' After the choir members and the various hosts had got sorted out, and ; to that extent settled, the people gathered in a knot in the big shed, where Air. H. Brett, president of the Reception Committee, welcomed Dr. Harris.', Dr. Coward, and the choir to New Zealand on behalf of the musical societies of tho Dominion. Dr. Harris? replied on behalf of himself, Dr. Coward, and the choir, stating that they had all looked forward to setting foot on what he- had always regarded as the Garden of Eden of the Overseas Dominions—New Zealand.

A civic reception was accorded membeis of tho choir at the Opera House this afternoon. There was a large attendance. The Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), in tho course of his remarks, said the city welcomed the singers because they were undoubtedly the most cultivated and talented company of vocalists that had ever visited these shores. "We welcome you also because you are all English men and English women," said the Mayor, "and bring with you at this Coronation time feelings of kinship and kindliness to us dwellers overseas."

The Hon. Gco. Fowlds (the Minister for Education) expressed his pleasure at welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Government. He' looked upon the visit as an important forward step in the linijication of tho Empire. The idea of binding the Empire together in harmony and song appealed to him moro favourably than binding the component parts with tariffs and bonds of that character. Ho was sure the tour of tho choir through New Zealand would have the effect of elevating the art of music, and ?et ■ a higher standard for musicians to aim at.

Dr. Harriss, who was given a fine reception by the 1500 people present, said the tour of the choir was a consummation of an ideal which he had been working up to for tho last ten years. He stated that Dr. Coward had informed him after this morning's rehearsal of the New Zealand orchestra to accompany the choir throughout the Dominion that it was a magnificent.one, and the finest they had yet. met in their travels 'through the oversea portions of .the Empire. Dr.' Harris.* concluded by', referring'.to the Imperial aspect of. , the choir.

THE FIRST CONCERT IN NEW ZEALAND.

IBy Tclceraph-Prc.ce Association.!. Auckland, Juno 2C. At the concert in the evening every available seat in the Harbour Board she'd ou the .Queen Street Wharf, which -had to bo used for want of a more suitable building, , was taken, and many remained outside during tho performance. The ■programme comprised Elgar's "Dream of Geroiitins," and part song?, and at the conclusion of each number the vast audience was roused to great enthusiasm. The singing of the choir camo as a revelation to the people of Auckland, aiid nad encores been responded to tho programme Vould have been doubled in length. The magnificent singing of the visitors-, and tho excellent work of tho orchestra, led by Air. Herbert Bloy, combined to provide a performance that will long bo remembered by those able to obtain seats. Tho second performance will bD given to-morrow evening.

Arrangements have been made for the local auxiliary choir to have a rehearsal of "Elijah" with tho Sheffield Choir at 9 a.m. on Saturday next. As niauy of tho local choir members are engaged in business, an ajrpcal is made to employers to allow them an hour or so oft' in order that they may take advantage of the one rehearsal possible.

Owing to the brief period during which the choir will stay in Wellington, a regular civic , reception can scarcely be held, but the deputy-Mayor (Mr. ,T. Smith) will extend a public welcome to tho visiting vocalists just before the commencement of the first Festival concert ou Thursday evening.