MILITARY CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2275, 8 October 1914, Page 6

MILITARY CONCERT

£100 RAISED FOR PATRIOTIC FUND. A' large audience, including many members of tho Expeditionary Force, pretty well filled the Grand Ojpera House last evening,. when a .military concert was given in aid of the Patriotic" Fund. Every item on tho programme was supplied by members of the Force in uniform (or nartial uniform.). ' For the first part the 'big stage was, arranged to represent a section of a camp, realism being given to the scene by the dullglow of a camp'firo, between a couple of bell tents, in which off-duty men. were discovered asleep. A patrol arrived , , and. in its dismissal, ft tree and easy night. of harmony took place. No' names wore Riven to the audience-, which was quito in keeping with the idea. Among -the items given vere "Let me Like a Soldier Fall," by a diminutive trooper, with a cold, who also joined with the officer in charges :'(l;ieut. Waite). in-' "Alice, Whore Art.Thou;" A trooper'in "camp neglige" sang "Tho Deathless Army," and another made a "hit ,,, in "Its a Long, Long Way to Tipperaray," the chorus of (vhich popular lilt was sung by the entire audience. ! A tall sergeant, with an abundance of dry humour, sang "Ragtime Mad," and save a humorous recital with topical allusions to "Bobs" and "Jimmy" Allen. Another trotted out the sadly-abused cur-ate-as a medium of a comic announcement, hi'the course of which he remarked that he had arranged, a concert programme in aid of a "bun fight" for the children of- the parish; the contributors were to include Mr. J. P. Luke, who would sing "Little Drops oi Water," doubtless with plenty; of spirit, and Sir Joseph Ward would contribute that old favourite, "Massoy's in tho Gold, Cold Ground." Still another bold soldier ■ sang "Sailor, Beware," and recited the speech of Henry V before Harfleur (from Shakespcake's historical play). In the second half songs wero contributed by Trumpeter Harrison, Trooper R. S. Thomas, Lieut-Colonel M'Clymont, Lieut. Dunnett, a humorous ditty was sung by QM.-Sergeant Seymour-GTaham, and character songs wero contributed by Lieut. V. Rogers. During the interval His Excellency the. Governor presented tho medals won at tho military sports last Saturday. At tiie conclusion of that ceremony the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) proposed a vote of thanks to Lord Liverpool for his attendance, which was given by applause and cheers. Among those present were Lady Liverpool' and th& official staff from Government House, the Mayor and Mrs. Luke, and officers of the lixpedu tionary Force. The concert resulted in a sum or about £100 being raised for tho Patriotio Fund. TOWN HALL CONCERT. A patriotic concert was given in tho Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night. Unfortunately. tho_ attendance ivas restricted, but otherwise the concert was a success. .'■The- programme was a well-diversified one, consisting ,of vocal, -.instrumental, dancing, and telocutionary items. A"'number of cadets, gave a display of drill in smart end orderly style. The programme opened with a pianoforte number "April," given by Miss Bellworthy. Other items on the programme were as Follow:—Recital, "Hubert and Arthur," Miss E. Aitcheson and Mr. W. Wood; dance, Miss F. Shaw; humorous recitation, "Her Majesty Has Been Pleased," Mr. J. Culford Bell; song, "Tne- Patriot," Mr. Hamilton Hodges; violin fiolo, "Preghiera," Mr. C. Harris; vocal solo, "The Trumpeter," Mr. R. S; Allwright; recitation, "In the Usual Way," Miss E. Aitcheson; comio song, "A Prairie Life For Mo."-Mr. .F. Cooze; recitation, "The Charge of the Light Brigade," Mr. C. Smith. Miss Betty Purdom also contributed enjoyably to the programme. The cadet squad exercises were conducted by QuartermasterSergeant Roberts, Sergeant Cowley, Sorgearit Christopherson, and Colour-Ser-geant M'Nally. HIGHLAND CONCERTS. A complimentary Highland concert will be tendered the members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force by the Highland Society of AVellington in TJ shed this evening. The entertainment will be under tho patronage and in the presence of Their Excellencies tho Earl and Countess of Liverpool, the Right Hon. the Prime Minister and members of the Cabinet, mombors of both Houses of Parliament, and His Worship the Mayor. A splendid programme has been arranged, and the concert will commence at 7.15 p.m. At a meeting last evening of tho committoo appointed at Lower Hutt for the purpose of organising entertainments for the troops at Hutt Park arrangements were made to hold a grand concert in the Town Hall, Lower Hutt, next Thursday evening. An entertainment is to be held at the camp on Friday evening, when several performers from Wellington will appear. Next Sunday afternoon the Pctoiio Municipal Band will givo a porfonnnnce at tliu .Park,