CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1031, 21 January 1880, Page 2

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

The concert in aid of the Church of England building fund which took place at the Theatre Royal last evening attracted one of the largest audiences ever assembled in that building. Punctually to the hour announced tile overture "Vital Spark," by the Dilltilaii's Town Band, opened the programme, the rendering of this exquisite piece of musio receiving full justice at the hands of the band. "0 praise God in his holiness," a chorus by the full strength of the company, was given in time and harmony, and well received. The solo that followed, " In native worth," could be harily said to be a vocalistic succe33 on the part of the Tenderer Mr Harris. The n3xt item a quartette, " Cast thy burden by Mesdames Williams and Druramond and Messrs Harris and Wilby, was splendidly given and appreciated ; the subsequent duett, however, " 0 lovely peace," by the two ladies who took part in the qu&rtette was one of the greatest treats of the evening, and elicited the marked approbation of the audience, At this stage of the programme his Lordship the Bishop of Christchurch ascended the platform, his appearance being greeted with the most hearty and respectful applause* and on silence being obtained the Primate said he wished to express his thanks to those who by their presence on that occasion assisted in a purpose in which he (the Bishop) had an especial interest. He was very glad to see that sacred music had been introduced into the programme as he considered it was a higher class of music and from What he had heard that evening, he was very pleased in the way in which. it was rendered. At the same time he did not for one moment wish to depreciate the merits of the second part of the programme as he considered that secular musio was to a certain extent a necessary recreation. Should it please God to spare him the strength he (the Bishop) trusted to again visit the Coast at some futnre date. He would greatly like to see the means of communication made easier between the East and West Coast, so that they would know more of one another, although at the present time he looked on himself as a link, as it were, that bound them together. He again thanked them personally for the very hearty welcome he had received," ajd he trusted they might yet meet again. [Prolonged applause, during which the Bishop left the stage.] The programme wa3 then proceeded with, the " Hallelujah Chorus " being given by the Dillman's Town Band with grand effect, the whole audience standing during its rendering. A solo and chorus, "O Father, whose almighty power," was the next item, in which the chorus especially was well given. The solo that followed, " I know that rny Redeemer liveth," as rendered by Mrs Williams, was fairly entitled to be classed as the gem of the evening. A duett and chorus, " Hail Judea, happy land," in which the whole company took part, terminated the first part of the programme. After the interval and during the second portion of the entertainment the Ven. Archdeacon Harper addressed the audience, and in one of his humorous though always interesting speeches he referred to the able and efficient services that had beeu rendered to the church and the people of the district generally by the Incumbent, the Rev. E. A. Scott, and the gratification he

(the speaker) had in making public this fact; The Archdeacon then drew a comparison between this goldfield and the district under his charge" at the present time, by which he plainly demonstrated that " there were many worse places than Kunura." Space precludes us from following the Archdeacon's remarks blithe wis evidently thoroughly impressed witti the progress made in this town since! his last visit. The various item's iti the second pdrtion of the entertainment 'wTTshall not give in detail, but we cannot omit td notice " I am the ruler of the Queen's navee," in which Mr Wilhy was peculiarly happy in his rendering, fairly bringing down the house, and necessitating an encorei Mr. It. Taylorj also had, as usual, to respond to repeated calls after rendering " Sweet are the" Scenes a( my childhood." The whole success of the concert throughout, however, devolved chiefly on Mrs Horneman, who we think everyone will admit by her accompaniment tin the harmonium and pianoforte, contributed iti no small degree td the success of the renderings of the soles and choruses. ' The singing of the National Anthem brought to a one of the most successful conceits ever held in the Theatre Royal.