SOIREE AND CONCERT AT MORERE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 54, 5 March 1901, Page 1

SOIREE AND CONCERT AT MORERE.

(From Our Own Correspondent),

A very successful entertainment in connection with St. John’s Presbyterian Church was celebrated in the building on Wednesday, 27 th Feb, The walls were nicely decorated with nikau palms, and punga fronds ; above the stage the New Zealand flag showed out in marked contrast to the more sober hues of the greenery. The tables literally groaned under the weight of the good things provided by the ladies, and at 6 pan. a splendid start was made after singing “ Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” Mesdames Tait, Shaw, Whitehead, and Smith ; and Misses Gibson, Siddells, and Whitehead were kept busy dispensing “the cup that cheers, but not inebriates.” and the happy faces and pleasant hum of voices boro ample testimony to the excellence of the fare. The concert was to begin at 7.30, but owing to a heavy shower of rain and the non-arrival of some of the performers, some slight delay was caused. The first item on the programme, an instrumental quartette by Miss Siddells (piano), Mrs Tait, and Messrs D. and M. Shaw (violins), was well rendered, -eliciting hearty applause. The Chairman (Rev. W. Raeburn) said although he was down for an address, he was not desirous of engaging the attention of the audience for any length of time, as a lengthy programme necessarily curtailed all speeches. He called on Miss Gibson for a recitation, which was rendered with a feeling and nicety of expression that held the listeners, and merited their appreciation, Mr E. Coop followed in his usual inimitable style with a song, after which the choir gave in splendid harmony the anthem —“How Beautiful upon the Mountains.” An instrumental trio, by Mrs Anderson (piano), Mrs Denton, and Mr J. Sloan (violin), was given with spirit; Mr A. Anderson followed with the beautiful recitation, “ Trooper Campbell,” his powerful voice making him quite a' favorite in a large building. Mr Whyte gave “ The Good Old Oak ” in fine style, closely followed by a glee party with “ The Canadian Boat Song,” which fairly brought down the house, An interval of ten minutes was allowed here, the audience making full use of the time by discussing and recalling items that merited extra attention. The second part of the programme commenced with a pianoforte duet by Misses L. and O. Reynolds, Mr E. Coop following with a pretty song, “ The Maid of Malabar ” ; in response to an encore he gave “ All in the Hush of Twilight.” Sir Sloan then delighted the audience with a Scotch recitation entitled

“ Imphm,” some of the listeners cleverly producing the word at the right time as it recurred in the piece, and thus adding to the amusement; in response to a decided encore he gave “ The Dying Boor.” Mrs J. Reynolds camo next with the popular song “Darby and Joan,” which called forth prolonged applause. Mr A. Anderson recited “ The Widow’s Choice ” in good style, Mr V. Winter following with the song “My Mother’s Picture ” ; being recalled he repeated the last verse. Mr Logan’s reading, “ How to Cook a Husband,” called forth peals of laughter, tho young ladies especially fully appreciating the very valuable hints given. Mr Win, Richardson sang with 'great expression “ The Queen of the Earth ” ; on being recalled he gave the popular song “ Just as the Sun Went Down.” Mr T. Lambert’s reading, “ The Irish Piper,” was given in “foino tongue,” and earned a hearty burst of applause. An instrumental trio by Miss Reynolds (piano), and D. and M. Shaw (violins), evoked a recall, to which they responded with “ Tyrolienuc.” Mr D. Whyte appeared again with “ Tho Guard Ship,” followed by Mrs Tait with a sweet rendering ot the song, “ The Flight of Ages.” A glee, “ Oh, Who Will O’er The Down So Free,” was given in splendid harmony by Mesdames J. Reynolds, Tait, and G. Reynolds, and Messrs Coop, and Reynolds, Mr Fletcher coming next with a pathetic reading, depicting the sad end of the proprietor of a Puppet Show, after which the singing of “ Auld Lang Syne,” brought the programme to a termination ; as the ever sweet old strain died away, no doubt it awakened in many breasts, thoughts of “ The Trusty Hand,” so often sought, so seldom refused, and so much appreciated, by all whose lots aro oast in the bush. Although in a state of progressive advancement, as evidenced by the display of local talent that evening, still' the remembrance of early struggles, and old friends, will ever produce in the hearts of those who have -watched the growth of the district, happy recollections of “ Lang Syne.” The various aoeompamments ( during the evening, were playdd by Misses Reynolds and Siddells, and Mrs Anderson ; visitors expressing themselves as agreeably surprised and pleased at the ability and expression of the players, and evidently not expecting such a brilliant display of talent, in a country place. Votes of thanks were given with hegvty aoolamatiqn fq, “ Tho ladies who provided the tea," “ The performers at' the concert,” “ The Wairoa visitors,” and to “ Mr Cooper for the use of the piano,” befqro the audience dis-. persed. " Owing to the heavy shower early in the evening, a number of the tickets sold did not come _in, but the commitoe expect to add about £IQ tq the balance already in haud frotij last year ; the funds are to be expended tin lining and strengthening the building, and placing ventilators in the gable ends.