DISTRICT NEWS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 February 1911, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

EVENTS IN SHANNON. (Chronicled by ouir Resident BepreRfmtativeA CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT. The concert in aid of tho Church of.Engla.nd Library Funds was held inthe Druids' Hall on Wednesday night. Notwithstanding the attractions elsewhere there was a large and approciaivc audience. The Rev. S. G. Compton opened with a short address. Tho first item on tho programme was an overture, on the piano by Miss P. Gunning. Mrs Gibson's song, "Tho Gipsy's Warning," was very pleasingly sung. During- tho song tableaux were presented illustrating the subject matter of the song. These were very striking, and were much admired by tho andience. Miss Sylvester's song, "Arcadian Lullaby,"" was very suitable to tho voice of tho singer, and was done full, justice to—the tone and notes being perfect. Miss Wickliffo and Mr G. H. Gihh snng "Tit for Miss Wickliffe impersonated a rustic maid to perfection, while Mr Gib!) T>layed tho love-making as if ho had some experience. The audience applauded in a manner that left no doubt as to 'the merit of the performance. Miss Monteith sang "Tho Carnival." This is a favourite song of this young lay. Sho lias a welltrained voice, aiid in this piece she appeared to advantage. She reciovp.fl well merited applause. Miss Wickliffe and Master Quarrie's dialogue "The Orphan Boy" was good. Miss Wickliffo put expression and feeling into her part, and tho same may ho said of Master Qnarrie. Tin's lad is undoubtedly possessed of no moan powers as an elocutionist. The pair were heartily applauded. Mr Hook's violin solo. "KiUarne\\ ' mot with anproval. This player has a fine touch, and the sweet strains of "Killarney" held the .auditors spell hound. At the finish the audience cxnressed hearty approval. Miss Lanvrig's song, the "River of Years" (from tho "Mikado"), was somewhat a heavy order for a lady so young. Tt was a difficult t>iece, hut it was well- rendered and the singer received an ovation at the. finish. She responded with "I Know Not Wiry," in which she was jnst as successful. Miss Hemmingson and Misses Treinowan (2) sang "Three Little Maids." in costume The three , little maids hailed from Japan. The singers kept perfect time and tfte voices blended harmoniously. The audience would take no denini, and for an encore the last, verso was roneated. Miss Asquith and , Mr Jack Boris's duet. ''The Countess," was a. charactor song. Tho ladv played the blushing love-sick maiden to perfection, hut although "Jack" professed much in this line ho did not look it. He appeared to be laughing up his sleeve at the fond heart. Tin's item "brought dirnvn the house." Mr Gibh's recitation, "The Unknown." was much appreciated. As usual, he was at home with Iris audience. His recitations always catch on. for his olocutionarv ability should be classed more with the "professional" than the amateur. Mr Gunning sang "Rule Britannia" (with tabVanx) and wa.s well received and encored. , Here an interval wns. gono through Tfter which Master Merewood , gavo n violin solo. This lad is a -rent fiivourit-e with Shannon audiences. Tf he could not be seen one would think it -wna t-h-o touch of some old plaver. of n miniature lad of not. more than a dozen summers. Mrs Gibson's .song,- "Eternal Bliss," was sweetly sung, giving ofTr>r.f. to (!)o work. MiV-: B. Wickliffe and Mr G. H. G'ibb were henrd in "Wlieve are vou Toiirg to niv Pretty Maid." Tho

'i''v fK : 'o r l lw mrt well, and Mr ffibli. ns n "toff" was a "howler" with lii's monnrio and cane, someHiin.fr nft-er the stvle of a "Gussie" or a doing Tlotovna. To nn encore, they responded with a r>nrt. reneHtKni. Mr Galland's song. "The Direr," •vns wpll chosen. The sintrer has •■n+liPT a deep voice, and tin's enabled 'sirji to <rfvo exnression to the words. TJV» rpfpfi'o'T voll onmnd applause. The Misses Tremewan two little fr irls in Hi<rhlanrl costume, as Rob T?ov and TRoval Stewart tartans— danoed a Higliland' fling. They were vofiferonsly and they responded with a .sand gig. These woe Highlanders wore very light of foot, and moved' gracefully. Mr B:;ris, in a comic soncr, highly pleased the > audience, which de-ma-nded lii.s reappearance, and "•Tack" had to sing for them again. Mr Boris is well .suited to comic songs. He possesses snoh a gift that apparently without effort"ho (\iii_ put a comic side on the most ordinary things. Misses Monteith, Asfjuith and AYoodmass, in the trio "The Bird in Hand-' , were popular, hut the sudden transition of throe—ahem—beautiful damsels—into three ugly old maids was too much for the audience. The trio were vociferously encored, to which there was a responso after much storm. Miss Sylvester's sowg was "The Mission of a Rose." This was sung very sweetly, the singer putting expression into the words. The last item on the programme was the performance of the Sha.nnon Savages. The chief (Mr Gfbb) wns surrounded by the warriors in war paint. The warriors had: apparently tried to outvie each other in the grotesqueness of their costumes. Mr Gibb snug in splendid style a toImiiga. .song (one wihich had Ween composed by the studepis at the Victoria University). The" song goes to the tune of "The Deathless Army." After the song there were sonic local hits, in which the Horowhenua Chronicle's Shannon representative had the honour of being included. The performance of the Savages was vociferously encoredi, with loud calls for the chief. Although it was late the savages generously responded. The "Rev. S. G. Compton thanked all who had taken part in the performance, specially mentioning Miss Lauvrig, who had so ably presided at the piano, Mr Gib'b and: others. He also wished, to mention Mrs Pearce, who had worked so hard to make the affair suclT-a success, and.in this respect Mr Tilling had given, great assistance. Mr Compton called upon the audience to express thoir thanks in a. manner that would show appreciation. Hearty apnlause was readily given by the audience. At the cilose the audience and nerfowners ?ang the- National Anthem. After the concert a dance was held which was well attended.

Rflm. W. Shearman lias won tlie first competition at Poxton for Mr Perroau's cup. Mr E. Law has presented a sheep, and Mr Oag a sucking pig, to "be competed for in guessing eonrpetitions at the Shannon Horticultural Show. Still no rain. The grass is withorincj from tin? face of the earth. This has heeri "the driest season within the. remembrance of the oldest resident of Shannon. It may fairly he called a drought. Tanks have "been empty for the last three weeks. SHANNON TtWIM CTAJB. Thft second stnere in tlio competition for Mr Csil.lnrrlian's. prize wns firp.il Inst Rnturdav—of seven business shots per man per rarifie fit

and 800 yards. Rflm. Mollae topped the scores. r 600 800 yds yds Tip. Tl. Rflm. Moltae '30 31 10 71 Rflm. H. Law 21 3-1 14 69 Rflm. E. Sutton 29 31 6 6fi Rflm. J. Hallam 31 25 8 61 Rflm. Woodnrass 29 26 8 63 Capt. G. Stephenson 25 32 - 57 Rflm. Couper 27 13 10 50 Rflm. E. Law, who did not fire .it 600 yards, got his shots off nt 800 yards, and scored 39, plus 8 points handicap. The final of the competition will he. fired 'next. Saturday, nt 900 and 1000 yards. The following will go to Tre.ntham as representatives of Shannon Club: Capt. Stephenson, Riflemen Shear- . man, E. Sutton, J. TTallain. H. T/nw and O. "Woodmass.