AMBULANCE CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3168, 20 August 1917, Page 7

AMBULANCE CONCERT

IN T THE TOWN HALL. The Town Hall was only about half filled on Saturday evening, when a good popular concert was given in aid of tlio funds of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, which is doing such excellent war work. In this instance the entire proceeds ot the entertainment are being devoted to supplying comforts for New Zealand soldiers who are in hospitals in England, France, or Egypt. The hall was especially gaily decorated with the flags ot tho Allies not omitting those of China, biam, and t'ho smaller nations .of Central America, who have followed the United States into the great world fray. Selections wero played by the Wellington Vatriotio Society's Band, and also the band from. Trentham Camp (under her-geant-Major Fox).- Seaman Val Atkinson sang "Pour Jolly Sailormon"" and recited "If Wβ Only Knew." Miss iTame Petrie recited "England, My England, anil Sergeant-Major Fox, who produces a sweet tone, played "Annio Laurie- with variations, accompanied by the irentnain Band Mr. Hamilton Hodges sang "There's » Big Lot of Sunshine," and, as an encore, "Annie Laurie. Mr. Herbert T. AVoods's pleasing tenor voice was heard to advantage in There s a Mup that's Bound for Blighty," and, in response to a hearty recall, sung that musical comedy lilt, "I Like \ou in Velvet." Signor Molinari, from His Majesty's Theatre trilled "La Donna e Mobilo" (from "Eigoletfco"), and his wife sang "Scenes that are Brightest" very nicely, and followed it with "Coming Home." Together they sang a duet from one of the operas, and finished up by singing "Tho .Marseillaise." and B-ule Britannia," in which artistry was sacrificed for power. One of the events ot the evening was tho first appearanco in Wellington of "Farmer" Thomas Daysli, of Martinborough, who has realised over .£IOOO for patriotic purposes tlirough his singing in different parts of the country of "Tho Grand Old Flag" (words by Vincent Pyke, music by \\. Fawcetfl. A little while t,go Sir Walter Buchanan oit'ored a suit of clothes and a top hat to he who would secure tho largest number of members for the Lower Valley (Wairarapa) A. and P. Society. Tho prize was won by Mr. Daysli, who wore the clothes with credit on Saturday evening, -whilst ho sang the old song with great fervour and emphasis, and thon recited "Trentham Stew." At the conclusion of tho soug conies wero sold to tho audience, and quite a eum of money was realised for them. Other items were a cornot solo by Mr. D. L. Peek, a song by Corporal A. A. Scott, and a clever and nmusing sketch at the piano entitled "Tho Village Choir," by Ser-geant-Major Frank Blnmlford. The accompaniments wero excellently played by Mr. Frank Thomas, whoso work in connection with patriotic efforts has been notably good and consistent. During tho evening Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Hughes, D.5.0., C.M.G., sold by auction 6omo walking-sticks, packets of home-made sweets, a New Zealand Flag (on which a collection was made) and a prize terrier, the whole realising a con-, sidernble eura of money for the. cause in hand. Tho concert was attended by a number of Ambulance nursed in uniform, who helped the entertainment along by dispensing home-made sweets and programmes. Tlio members of the committee of tho Patriotic Society lent vulituble assistance.