MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 197, 27 August 1901, Page 2

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

ANNUAL CONVERSAZIONE,

There was a crowded attendance at the Academy of Music last evening on the occasion of the seventeenth annual conversazione in connection with the Gisborne Mutual Improvement Society, and a very pleasant evening was spent by all present. The committee had gone to a groat deal of trouble in making arrangements for the gathering, and have reason to he satisfied with the full measure of success attained. The first part of the programme consisted of vocal and instrumental items, opening with a pianoforte overture by Mrs Baty. Mr Foreman sang “ The Boys of the Old Brigade ” with much success, and as an encore number contributed “The Bugle Call.” Master Reefie Wade greatly pleased the audience with his singing of “ Daddy,” for which ho was enthusiastically applauded. Miss Gush made her initial appearance before a Gisborne audience, contributing “ Hush Me 0 Borrow” in a manner which won for her

the hearty plaudits of the gathering. Mr East, who was in excellent voice, gave a finished rendering of “ Queen of the Earth,” an encore being demanded, but the lengthy programme prevented the singer responding. Mr Andrews gave a capital comic song entitled “ This is the Way to the Zoo,” and Mr Foreman contributed a song with much acceptance. A very amusing Irish comedy called “ A Comical Mistake ” was staged, the characters being splendidly taken by Miss Sobers, and Messrs P. Sheridan, Andrews, East, and Leslie, the piece going off without the slightest hitch of any kind. Those who took part in tho comedy were warmly applauded on tho success of their efforts. The entertainment closed with a series of tableaux

illustrating the song “ The Holy City,” which was sung by Mr .J. East with much expression and pathos. The tableaux was given under the direction of Mesdaincs E. D. Smith and It. X. Jones, and was well carried out. Miss McDowell took the leading part, whilst Misses Martin (2), McConnell (2), Itobb, Jones, Somervell and Baty also assisted. The young ladies were prettily dressed, and the scene presented was a changing one, At an interval refreshments wore handed round by a committee, consisting of the following ladies : Mcsdatnes E. D. Smith, Jones, Robb, Ledger, Baty, Ritchie, Scott, Misses Gush, Jones, McDowell, Somervell, Driller and Poswillo. Messrs Ritchie, Johnston, Woodhouse, Beere, Peckover, Leslie Steele, and other gentlemen also gave assistance. The success of the conversazione was in a measure due to Mr M. G. Nasmith, the hoa, secretary of the society. That, gentleman was untiring in his efforts to promote the comfort of all present, and it must have been a source of gratification to him to see such a largo and representative gathering. Mr Nasmith was ably seconded by the President, Mr R. N. Jones, who worked hard to insure the success of the function. The accompaniments to the several songs were played by Mrs Baty, Miss Gush, and Mr C. J. East. The proceeds are to be devoted towards the society’s piano fund, md the committee hope at an early date ;o be able to liquidate the existing debt, ;he result of last evening’s entertainment 1 ;oing a loeg way towards that end, 1