RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARSONAGE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1735, 22 April 1882, Page 2

RESTORATION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARSONAGE.

AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT. —♦ The entertainment given last night at the Theatre Royal by the Stafford Philharmonic Society and Kumara Choral Union was a very successful one so far as the merits of the performers were concerned ; and, considering the general depression of trade which has been experienced for some weeks past, there was a very fair house. The front seits were fill-d, or nearly so, and a goodly nnmber patronised the back seats. The programme was fully carried out, save one substitution, and that was doubtless a great improvement on the song intended to be given, for the gentleman whose name appeared on the programme was evidently suffering from some acoustic disadvantage. The entertainment opened with an overture on the pianoforte, "The iEolian Harp," played Very nicely by Miss Byrne, of Stafford, Then came the first item on the programme, the glee " Hark 1 Apollo V by Mrs Drummond, and Messrs Wilby and Brewer, members of the Kumara Choral Union; it was well rendered, the voices blending harmoniously; Miss Ada Skilton played the accompaniment} the trio were rewarded with hearty applause. The song by Mr Higgs, " By the Deep Sad Sea," was well sung, and the chorus by the company had a pleasing effect on the audience. The glee "From Oberon, in fairy land" introduced the members of the Stafford Philharmonic Society, who evinced great aptitude and careful and efficient training, They

received well-merited applause. Our comic favorite Mr Wilby next sang " The Awkward Sqnad" in his usual happy style ) and, aii encore bein<* demanded, " The Bold Soldier Bov"° waa merrily given. A second glee by the Stafford Company)--.« Here,—ih cbol grot," shared similar manifestations of approval as their first effort. Mrs M'Glpne's. "Tapping- at- the Garden Gate," was mild, but sweet and precise* a little louder tapping would probably have brought all the longing swains td the gate ; a 3 it was the taps were of such a character as to sensibly affedt all within hearing, and she responded tb recognitions of her efforts by singing " Thou art sb near, and yet so far." Mr G. Wood, an amateur of no nieari pretentions, here made his debut to the public; He has a rich strong mellow voice, well adapted for the key in which " Eilleen Allanna" that he sung is written; he was accompanied on the pianoforte by Mr G. Simmons, jnn. Mr Wood will prove a great acquisition to our local taleut. on Such occasions. He must throw off at once the stiffness 1 of attitude which besets the novice, anii throw the voice into the hall rather I than down on the music before him: For the greetings of approval of hia maiden efforts Mr Wood sang "The Little Ones at Home/' also with good effect. A song " The Gallants of England," by Mr Grif Morris, followed 5 but the words were inaudible, and the' gesticulations of the onde-renowned" vocalist provoked much merriment; which, unfortunately, was taken for an encore. Dr. Callcott's fine melody " Forgive, blest shade" was admirably rendered by the full strength of the' Stafford Philharmonic Society, and this 1 concluded the first part of the programme.

After an interval of a few raintites; Mrs Drummond, and Messrs Wiiby and Brewer opened the second part witH the glee " Hark ! the Curfew's aolerrirt sound 1" This was given with very good" effect, but not so marked, as the first glee by the same trio. "In the gloaming," by Mrs Spyer, was sung better than we have heard this lady for some time, and in response to a call she favored the audience with another song, «« Golderi Days." The comic song, " Larry Doolan," by Mr Sell, proved sufficiently attractive to merit an encore; and " Those Heaving Bells'" were tuned iri reply. " Pulaski's Banner," a duett hi two Stafford Indies, Mrs Burns and Miss Byrne, is generally pronounced tti have been xhe best production of the evening. The ladies were heartily applauded. Dr. Porter next read the humorous sttiry of « Mr Simpkinsnn'a Misadventures at Margate." A comic S'mg, « Dr. Quack," by Mr Wilby, foU lowed ; and then a recital by Mr John Pearson was given; being the famous poem of " Shemus O'Brien j a Tale of '98." The song by Mrs Wilby, "When my Ship conies in," was pleasing And effective; and; after this* Miss Dutf kindly sang "Thy facet never see,*' receiving well-merited applause: , The Rev. M.r .Holland took the tip: portunity here to express bis ness to the people who had generously come forward to aid in restoring trie' recent losses; and also the thanks of the public to the kind friends vho bad volunteered to assist in the efforts bein« made. Mr R. J. Seddon, M.H.RV, alsO supplemented Mr Holland's remarks. "Hail/ Smiling Morn," by the whole, strength of the .Stafford Philharmonic" Society, and admirably rendered, eluded a very enjoyableevenirigis tainroentjt th<? English <{ ,Nationaf Anthem " being gtvgn as a finale.