CROMWELL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 368, 14 May 1869, Page 2

CROMWELL.

(from a correspondent.) On Thursday evening the 4th inst., the first of the popular entertainments in the shape ot musical selections, readings, recitations, &c., ever given in this district, took place in the School room ; notwithstanding the unfavorable weather which prevailed, and the melancholy forebodings of sundry evil

prophets, (who by the bye always crop out on similar occasions) proved a most decided success. If the *■ talent of Cromwell ” has been hidden hitherto, ns was insinuated in the prologue to the evening’s entertainment, part of it was lished out of its lurking place on this occasion, and it is much to be desired it will not be allowed to sink into obscurity again, but that strenuous efforts will be made to bring to light more of the long lost and nearly forgotten treasure. We would not allow them to “ blush unseen, or waste their sweetness on the desert air ” What has been so well begun, will we hope be worthily sustained through the i onise of thefast approaching winter nights.

Mr. John Marsh occupied the chair and in a m; stable and appropriate address exposed the object of the present gatiiering: he said, though this was the first meeting of the kind that ha i been held in Cromwell, he trusted it wool 1 nut he the last,and to shew a due and proper appreciation of the efforts of those who w uld appear before t'-em, would be to muster in foice on the next occasion.

'lTic illusion! part of (ho programme was mainly sustained by Mrs Simpson (at the piano), Mrs Corse, (vocal), and by Messrs Whettcr and Simpson, (cornet and vi lie), Two of Mr, Whet ten’s pupils (Mr. J Esoott, aud Master Whet ter) also took a very creditable part in the proceedings. It is almost enough to mention that Messrs. Simpson and Whet ter were two of the usicians present as a guarantee that the music was of the very highest class; Mr. Wheti er is well known throughout the district as a musician of the first class, and of Mr. Simpson, we may record our deliberate opinio-., that, he has very few superiors in the colony on his own instrument, the vijlin.

The readers were:—Mess - *. Frae- , Louglmaii. M‘ll.elJar, and Bath rate, and though t was uie hrsu tiui« any of thcLi Lad blushed before the public, they acquitted themselves well. Wo cannot Jo more than mention the titles of the various pieces, and the names. Mr. M'lvellar—a prologue, (spe Tally composed for the occasion ) “The Jackdaw,” and “The piad piper of Hamelin” Mr. Fraer—“Morning visits” ami “The Quack Doctor.” Mr. Longbnan—“The Raven, ” “ Peg of Limavaddy,” and “Jarvis and Mrs. Cope.” Mr. Bathgate— “Edinburgh afterFloddon’ and “The Execution” (My Lord Tomnoddy.)

At the conclusion of the enter ainnient, Mr. l'i pshaw thanked the people for tlte support which they had given to the a Hair, "asd expressed his Lope that they would come forwrd on tin) next occasion, which, he su'd, would happen very shortly, and when he promised there was a stiff richer treat in store for them. He was followed by Mi - . Grant, who moved a hearty vote of thanks o all who had taken a part in the proceedings, iu the course of doing which, he ?onfer.secl to having been ore of the doubters as to the success of the affair. He, however, apologised for that, and only hoped to have an opportunity soon of showing true repentance for his unbelief by attending at another similar gathering. if ter playing and singing the national anthem, - be company dispersed, all well satisfied with, their evening’s entertainment. As we said at the beginning of this brief notice, we hope that this is not the last time weshall have opportune', v of spendmgau instructive and pleasant evening with the friends who exerted themselves to so much purpose on Thursday evening last. No doubt the newness and strangeness of the affair struck ail present, but, by and bye, a taste fir more rational amusements than at present are to be found wd! gradually be found among all classes of society. Something of a higher nature than can be got for a sh'lling just now, is surely wanted to relieve rhe nind from the tear and wear of bhe “Battle of Life.” Let not the talent be buried any more, and “Those who stand' doubting, will see, to their sorrow, That the last in the march is not the K.iwaran.”