THE CHAUTAUQUA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 61, 5 December 1919, Page 10

THE CHAUTAUQUA

OPENING OF SECOND SEAS6N

WELCOME BY THE MAYOII

Tho second Chautauqua party to visit the Empire City commenced a season at tho Concert Chamber yesterday 'afternoon. Being a bright, sunshiny afternoon, with all nature calling ono to tho open, it was perhaps not tho happiest of ideas to' commenco in tho halfdarkened Conccrt Chamber, before a small audienco and a fmo array of Austrian chairs, However, tho Chautauqua has its set programme aiid de/iiiito ideas, which aro as unalterablo as tho laws of the Medes and Persians, so at ® . the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) forsook his civic duties for a few momenta to pronounco an opening blessing on tho movement. Mr. Luke said tho public would appreciate tho enterprise of tho Chautauqua, which was now paying its second visit to Wellington. Tho first vijsit was .paid about tiiis time .list year, when, unfortunately, thero was a good deal of illness about. The Chautauqua was a very strong institution in America. Its educational features and musical attainments iiad given immense impetus to tho movement in tho United States, and also in Canada, which country had been very receptive to the Chautauqua movement, which conduced so heartily to the civio companiouship and right thinking so much needed at tho present time. (Hear, hear.) It caino to Now Zealand last year, and created such a healthy impression that it was decided to stay another year. Tho largo and email towns of the North Island had extended tho Chautauqua a very hearty welcome, which he was sure would be accorded to tho party that afternoon. Ho had much pleasure in welcoming, tho representative of the C(iautauqua (Mr. M. E. Paget), who was an honoured and rejected citizen of tiie great United States, which had become identified with England in securing the happiness and peace of tho world which they all hoped would continue for all time. (Applause.) He hoped that aa citizens of the United States, and members of tho Chautauqua, they would have a successful and happy tirno throughout New Zealand. •

Mr. Luke also informed the audience that they were to I'/ivo the pleasure of hearing the Lyrife Four, from Auckland. Mr. Paget said that as lie still had a "fcwajig" ho could not yet claim to bo. ft colonial. Ho was an American, but having been nearly a year in Now Zealand, he had acquired a knowledge of a good many of tho characteristics of the colonials. Their organisation—a Chau.■frauqua party—had come along a year ago, but then it had no ontity, no organisation, It had heal his pleasure to remain behind and interview men who, were inclined to interest thomselvos 6eriously in the movement. The Chautauqua was something on the lines of the Y.M.C.A., or Victoria League, or any of the oivic or social associations that formed a part of the lifo of tho community. It was not out for gain or pecuniary. benefit afnd was guided by rules and a constitution which were registered under _ tho Incorporated Societies Act, 1908, with a council consisting of Mr. Mark Cohen (of Dimedin). the Hon. Georgo Fowlds (of Auckland), and himself. The purpose that it. served was perhaps better appreciated in smaller towns, where they wero not accustomed to get such high-class music and lectures as they did in tho centres. They wero thore to impart knowledge and discloso facts about the big oufsido world, and eventually to convey information to tho outer world about New Zealand. In their party they had live lephircrs from the United States and Canada, and musicians from the Slates, Sweden, and their own New Zealand, the basic _idea being to bring all English-speatdng peoples into closer union and moro''effectual understanding through the happy medium of able lectures and liigh-class music.

Mr. Paget then introduced the Lyrio Four-|-MessT3. Arthur .Ripley (first tenor), A. Richards (second tenor), AJan'MTJlivain (baritone and entertainer), and. Mr. John Ryan (basso). . The Lyric Four, who gave an hour's entertainment, is one of tho best nialo. quartote ever heard in Wellington. Not only do they secure a perfect blend, but no one voice is permitted to obtrude from the chord—the true aim and end of all part singing. The Four are equaily offective in light or sentimental songs. As a quartet they sang "The Mulligan Musketeers," "Fishing" (comic), a perfectly harmonised version of "A Perfect Day," "Soldier's Farewell," "Simplo Simon," "A Southern Lullaby," and "Tho Farmyard." The latter number gave Mr. Alan JfEhvain an opportunity to display his mimetic talent. Mr.' Arthur Ripley, the possessor of a sweet, well-controlled lyric tenor, sang very attractively "The Garden of liy Heart" and "Jean." Mr. Ryan, whose voice is better in combine than in solo, sang "Up From Somerset" and "The Little Irish Girl;" and Mr. M'Ehrain, will! his boncrdry humour, convulsed the andienco in "Evans's Dog Hospital," "A Scene Shifter's Version of Hamlet," "Jim Bowker," and other comic recitals. Mr. MUhvaiin is worth going a long way to hear.