HIKUTAIA NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4470, 22 September 1922, Page 3

HIKUTAIA NOTES.

COMMUNITY SINGING. = The third community ’’sing-song,” which was held in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening, proved, if anything, more popular than its predecessors, the hall being more than comfortably filled by an audience that, judged by the volume of sound, had come prepared tp sing. The chair was occupied by Mr J. Elliot,, who in a few words introduced, and handed over the gathering to, the song leader, Mr Venables, of Te Aroha, who was immediately en rapport with his "audience, all Of whom were quick and eager to respond to his demands. The old favourites were sung with immense gusto, while newer songs were attacked with a fervour that neither crotcjhets nor quavers, high. G’s br low F’s could intimidate. “Peggy O’Neil” tied with “Tipperary” for first places while the round,. “Three blind mice,” sung by four sections of the audience, was repeated so often that the end came when bursts of laughter stultified the vibratory action of the vocal chord. Solos were well rendered by Mesdames George and Potter, and by Messrs Johnson, McSweeney, R. Morrison, and L. Martin. The singing of the children formed an interesting feature, while the whistling of the ladies was quite a revelation, Mr Venables’ dialogue, "Spotty/’ was an excellent specimen of the elocutionary art, as also was his rendition of "The Red Roses.” Responding to a vociferous encore, the monologuisi gave "Napoleon’s farewell tp his troops.” As this consisted of the two words, "Troops, farewell,” the audience were so convulsed with the brevity of the "have” that the programme was continued before they realised the nature of .the response tp the encore. An unrehearsed addition tp the programme was the appearance pf Mr Alf. Greenwood, who, disguised as a swagger “to the manner born/’ convulsed the audience with his rendition of "The Tramp’s Ditty.” For the accompaniments Mrs Murdoch, Miss Smith and Mr M. C. Smith were re sponsible. Before concluding the chairman ■ stated that ’ the collection amounted to over £5. This, with the two former collections, totalling some £l5, which was put into the Memorial Gates trust account. He hoped much more.money would be forthcoming for the laudable purpose Of erecting a memorial that would be in keeping with the services of those who had le F t their homes tp fight and to die for King and country, and that would do credit to those who had contributed and would further contribute to the fund. A vote pf thanks, responded to with musical ho’nours. was acebrded to the song leader, the "singsong” concluding with the National Anthem. Before leaving the audience demanded another "sing-song,” whicn was accordingly fixed for the evening of. Wednesday, 27th inst. registering FOR SERVICE. Quite a number of boys rfom Hikutaia, both ex-service meh and men whose age prevented them from taking past in the last wan, visited both Thames and Paeroa during the week to give in their names for enlistment,should war be declared. It is reported that two were so keen fo obtain a place that they packed tiheir kits and proceeded to Wellington to report their readiness for active service. AFTERNOON MAIL. As the result of a petition the Postal Department has consented to the dispatch Of an outward mail bv the train which leaves Hikutaia at 5 p,m. Thus, letters posted here be-' .fore 4,30 will go on to Frankton, where they will catch both Main', Trunk expresses, and .will be delivered in Auckland or Wellington at the same time as letters carried by the Thames-Auckland express. This concession is highly appreciated. v , PERSONAL, Mr J. Ingham, is at present away on his annual holiday leave.