CONCERT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 746, 4 August 1876, Page 2

CONCERT.

On Wednesday evening last the most successful of this season’s concerts was given in the Town Hall, Clyde, in aid of the funds of the Dunstan District Hospital. Too much cannot be said in praise of the ladies and gentlemen who came forward and rendered their services on the occasion, especially those who travelled the long distances they did, and all thanks are duo to the numerous audience for their attendance. The instrumentalists were Mesdames Stevens and Button, and Messrs Holland and Stevens on the Piano ; and Messrs Campl ell and Ward on the Violin. The singers were Misses Mary Jane and Christina Hastie, Miss Agnes Miller; and Messrs Holland Bros., Rees, Pretsch, Stevens, Hill, and Hall. A more accomplished (if we may use the term) tronpe it would be difficult to get together in towns of far more pretensions than Clyde ; and that their efforts to please were successful was proven by the unanimous and hearty plaudits, and the vociferous demands for an encore after nearly each piece of music or song. While recognising to the full tho ability of each performer we must, however, give the palm of excellence to Mr Campbell, as a musician ; and to Miss Hastie, as vocalist. Mr Campbell, on former occasions we have heard, but we think we never heard him to such advantage as on this occasion, and though not professing to be critical judges we will venture to say his performances were perfection, especially the “ Murmur of the Shell.” Miss M. J. Hastie we have heard sing better ; she appeared to he suffering from a cold, yet, withal her rendering of “ Maraquita " was excellent.

Thq programme was opened by the Brass Band'playing the opening overture ; after iwhioh the quartette “ Song of the Lark ” Ivfasysung, in good tune and voice, by dSliSsos Hastio and Miller, and Messrs Hill and Stevens. Mr Holland then played a pianoforte solo. Miss Hastio sang a melody —“ The Wind and the Beam ” —which was well received. Mr Hall followed with “Come back to Erin.” The duet “We come to thee, Savoy,”—next on the programme—was very prettily rendered, and showed off to good advantage the voices of the two young ladies, and was heartily applauded. The well-known favorite, Mr Bees, sang “ I’ll seek a Four-leaved Shamrock,” and received an encore (Mr Rees, who evidently sang under difficulties, he having a severe cold, in response repeated the last verse). “ The Villago Blacksmilh,” by Mr Holland to his own accompaniment on the piano, was a great treat, and fairly brought down the house. The violin solo and pianoforte, accompaniment Robin Gray ” —by Messrs Campbell and ■Holland, was a grand piece of music, and deservedly elicited hearty applause, and to an encore was repeated. Hr Button followed with “ A short year ago.” The gem of the concert, “Slaraqnita,” was next sung by Mias .Hastie, and in response to an enthusiastic encore repeated the last two verses. “ When the Swallows homeward fly,” was very sweetly sungjby Mr Pretsch, and received an encore.

At this stage of the entertainment tho most pleasing ceremony was performed that it has ever been our pleasure to be a witness of, and from the genuine bursts of approbation that followed, and at times interrupted the speakers, we must conclude that the full house (and there could not have been many short of 200 adults, besides youngsters present) were one with us in our happy feelings. The ceremony was the presentation by B. Naylor, Esq., Mayor of Clyde,— on behalf of numerous subscribers—of a purse of L 250 sovereigns and a beautifully illuminated address to Mr Henry Nettlefold, as a mark of their respect, and as an evidence of their appreciation of his strict integrity and his many sterling qualities. Mr Naylor in making the presentation, referred to it as being unprecedented in the colonies, aid proved that Mr Nettlefold had many warm friends and admirers. Nr Nettlefold in receiving from the hands of Mr Naylor the purse and the address in a voice shaken with emotion, returned his most sincere thanks for the more than handsome present he had received. Pointing to the address, he said that that in itself was recompense for what he done. He would ever value it, and would ever look upon it with pride and pleasure as a gift to handjdown'to posterity, In referring to the terms of eulogium expressed by Mr Naylor in making the presentation, he (Mr Nettlefold) said if he had been attentive to those he had to do business with—what had he done but his duty, for which he was well paid by a good and indu'gent employer. He, however, that night, had the satisfaction of knowing that whatever he had done had been appreciated. Again returning his thanks, he withdrew amid the moat uproarious applause.

The programme was continued, and the first part brought to a close with the singing of the quartette “ Soft music is stealing,” by Misses Hastie and Miller, and Messrs Hill and Stevens The second part of the programme, after an interval of a quarter of an hour was proceeded with, and received with equal favor as the first part, as follows : overture, the Band ; quartette, “ Those Evening Bells,” Misses Hastie, and Miller, and Messrs Hill and Stevens ; song, “ The Heart Bowed Down,” Mr Holland ; duet, “ The Sailor Sighs,” Messrs ? Hill and Stevens ; duet, Holland Brothers; duet Violins, and Piano accompaniment, “ Home to Our Mountains,” Messrs Campbell, Ward and Holland ; song, “ When the Moon on the Lake,” Mr Hill ; duet, “ O'er the Hill,” Miss Hastie and Miss C. Hastie ; song, “ Let us he Happy Together,” Mr Rees, which was encored ; song, “ Oh! Fair Dove” Miss Hastie, an encore was demanded and she gave “ Land of the Leal ; solo Violin, and Piano accompaniment, “ Murmur of the Shell,” Messrs Campbell and Holland; song, “ Heart my Heart,” Mr Pretsch ; song, “Look always cn the Sunny Side,” Mr Hall; quartette, “ The May Bell,” Misses Hastie and Miller, and Messrs Hill and Stevens. This brought the Concert to an end at about eleven o’clock, when the seats were removed, and dancing commenced, which was kept up with spirit for about throe hours, thus bringing to a close the most successful Concert that has been given in Clyde for years past.

We had omitted to mention that the flluminated Address presented to Mr Nettlefold, which was framed and glazed, was written by Mr Thomas George, of Dunedin, in his very best style, and is the most handsome thing of the kind we have ever seen,