ORPHAN CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1516, 12 August 1912, Page 2

ORPHAN CLUBS.

BIG GATHERING AT THE TOWN HALL. Tho big Town Ilall presented a brilliant spectacle on Saturday evening, when the Orphan Clubs of Now Zealand hold what might bo called a national gathering, not I with tlio object of transacting any serious ' business, hut for tho purely Bohemian (mrposo of becoming better acquainted with each other in quite tho pleasantest manner possible. Hcing good Orphans, thoy felt that tho occasion was one in which ladies might participate as spectators. Tho gathering was unique in its way. Perhaps never before had so largo a parly of club-men travelled so far tor merely entertaining their friends in. another centre in tho semi-public manner as was tho case on Saturday evening, and as the experiment turned out to be a groat success, tho notion will doubtless grow into a habit. Tho seat of honour was occupied by the Most Orphan, Colonel R. J. Collins. Among the distinguished guests were his Excellency tho Governor and Lady Islington, who were nccumpauicd by .Mr. Guiso (private secretary) and • Mrs. Guise, Miss Stiipleton Cotton, and' Captains Estcourt and Mao dougall, A.D.C.'s, (he lion, tho 'Prime. Minister and Mrs. Massey, tho lions. A. L. Ilerdman and Mrs. Herdinan, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher, imd Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward. Tho programme, which was almost entirely provided by tho visitor?, was a most delcctublo one. It was a special delight to listen to tho admirably-disciplined orchestra of forty instrumentalists of tho Auckland Orphan Club, under the conductorship of Orphan Huston. It is not often ono hears, an orchestral band which plays with such artistic delicacy, such nice degrees of shading, and such admirable tone balancu ns this orchestra did on Saturday evening, and it was not surprising that tho nudienco desired twice as many items as wero programmed. Orphan Muslim is to be heartily congratulated on his cnmluctorship. Ifo has a keen orchestral perception, and interprets with breadth and understanding. Tho orchestra played the line "Raymond Overture," the "Lost Chord" (Sullivan) with the cornet solo by Orphan' Lighten, "Fmlmidia," tho graphic tone poem of Sibelius (which do. piers in glowing tones the travail ■of Finland), a capital fantasia of old English air.-j, and Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" March. Nov v/ns the programme much loss interesting from a vocal point of view. Orphan Manning, of Auckland, the possessor of a very musical robust baritono voice, sang "Thou'rt Passing Hence" (Sullivan), to an orchestral accompaniment. Although it was ably read, tho singer was nevor in tune right through. Ho was much better in "liecause," sung as an encoro with a pianoforte accompaniment only.'Orphan 'fait, of Dunodin, recited in broad Scots dialect of ono Jock Howe and his enthusiasm for tho art. of Iznak Walton. Thero was, too, a fino'Cnlcdonian flavour about his story of tho Scotsman and tho lost railway ticket. Orphan Ripley, tho possessor of an extremely light sweot tenor, almost contralto in quality, sang "When Shadows Gather," charmingly, and was warmlv encored. An. innovation was tho whistling solo of Orphan M. Lewis, to a grnmnphono accompaniment. The Orpheus Quartet (Orphans Phipps, Fletcher, Allwrighl, and Hullon), of Wellington, sang "A Thuringian Volkslicd," very wvcetly, and when recalled intoned that • old favourite 'Sweet and Low" most artistically. An unexpected treat was tho singing of Mr. Horace Witty, of the Margarot I Cooper Company (which happened to be i in town on Saturday). Ho gave a capital rendering of that difficult solo from "Tannhauser" (Wagner), ''O Star of Eve," and when insistently recalled sang that capital song, "Tho Ringers," which lie made such a success when in Wellington last month. Mr. Charles Lawrence, tho pianist of tho same company, demonstrated his facility as a comiquo in a couplo of smart sketches at tho piano. The locnl Orphans choir supplied a humming chorus to "Oft in tho Stilly Night," to the solo of Orphan Phinps. Orphan Mutiro, of Duncdin, contributed a character recital, cryptic in style and full of humour, butrather on tho lengthy side for such an occasion. Supper was served at the conclusion of the programme. During the evening Most Orphan Collins extended a warm welcomo to tho visitors, and referred to the manner in which they were being entertained during their brief stay in Wellington. The programme provided had been most enjoyable' throughout, and the, performance of the orchestra was a very special delight. (Applause.) On their arrival on Saturdoy the Orphans from north and south were accorded a hearty welcome at the Masonic Hall, and yesterday afternoon they were, taken for a trip round the harbour. The visitors will return to their homes to-day.