HIKUTAIA NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4473, 29 September 1922, Page 2

HIKUTAIA NOTES.

COMMUNITY SINGING. The last of the series of “singsongs” took place in the hall on Wednesday night, when, despite the inclemency of the weather, a fairly large attendance was registered. In introducing the song leader, Mr T. Venables, of Te Arpha, the chairman (Mr W. H. Alley) spoke of the value of community singing as a social factor, and lauded the enjoyment accruing from attendance at func tions of the kind. Mr Venables, he continued was now no stranger to Hikutaia. By his genial humour, his ready wit, and power of repartee, ns well as on account of an engaging personality, to say nothing of his undoubted gifts as a singer and monologuist, he had won the admiration of his large audiences, so much so that Hikutaia whs most fortunate in securing Mr Venables, to whom the great success of their community singing was due. Personally, he had attended functions of the kind in different places, but those helld here had proved the most enjoyable- He did not think he was prejudiced in favour af his own township, and .attributed the preference to the tact and skill of their leader, to. whom again he hand-; ed over, the meeting with the utmost confidence.

Mpst of the old favourites were rendered con amore, and, though the volume of sound was, perhaps, not so great, as at preceding “sing gongs,” greater harmony and more expression were apparent. As many children were present, they had “a night out,” they being repeatedly cailled upon to take part. Their, sweet little voices blended, beautifully, and, though their auditors had come to exercise their own lungs, they forgot self in the apparent rapture of the young ones, who put both heart and soul into their efforts. By special request Mr Venables sang Blumenthal's “Even-song,” a difficult piece of music, in an artistic manner, his interpretation of the terpiece being marked by a sympathy" and expression which did not interfere with the technique. Needless to say, a vociferous encore was demanded and received the recognition it deserved. Sirs Potter’s fine voice was heard to advantage in her splo, while “The Veteran’s Song,” by Mri Johnson, “Struggle and Strife,” by Mr TedSamson, and ““Ka;-ka. ty.” by Masters George Johnson and Bob Rare, were well rendered and received with muon appause. 1 "Loch Lompn’,” by the audience was well sung, while “Camptown Races,” “Peggy O’Neil," and “Pack up your troubles” were given with great gusto, “Auld Lang Syne” and “God Save the King” bringing the season’s community singing to an eifd. The onerous duties of accompanists were most capably undertaken by Mrs Collins and Miss Smith at the piano and Mi; M. C. Smitn (violin). Before proposing the customary vote of thanks to the song leader ’Mr Alley intimated that the Memorial Gates Fund had been increased by some £l5 by the “sing-fcphgs,” a sum that would prove very helpful, as quite a lot of money would be required to make' the proposed memento a' fitting symbol of gratitude to those who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War and a credit to this© who desired to perpetuate that gratitude in visible and tangible form. in acknowledging the vote of thanks Mr Venables hoped that, the audience had enjoyed the singing as much as he had done. He had listened to many good voices, which only required development to produce- a glee-club that Hikutaia would be proud of. The pleasure he himself had enjoyed was full compensation for any trouble to which he had been put, and he trusted that it would be his lot to meet with audiences as hearty, as sympathetic, and as harmonious as the Hikutaia audiences had proved. He thanked all for the he’n that made his “job” easy, and made especial reference to the "Boys of the Village" and the “Aristocrats of the back seats,” who had done so much to make things easy for the song leader. GENSRAIj. The rainfall of the last three days, which followed some ten days’ spell of dry weather, was most welcome.., and, given the desired warmth, the pastures will greatly benefit. The Paeroa road is pronounced by motorists to be in very fair condition. Unfortunately, the same cannot sa’d of the Hikutaia-Tbames rbad." whoso state has the effect of driving business to Paeroa that formerly went to Thames —another illustration of the old “saw,” “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good.”