"THE 29ths."

Levin Daily Chronicle, 28 April 1917, Page 3

"THE 29ths."

LEVIN'S "SEND-OFF" TO LOCAL QUOTA. A BRILLIANT ENTE'IITAINaiELVT. Levin Patriotic Society, last uigib gave 'a "send-off" to the Levin and cl.strict draft of men for the 29th Reviforcements. The assemblage of the 1-üblic filled the Century 'Hall to i's utmost capacity; Levin Brass Ba/:d played excellent music, in front of tho hall, as ia preliminary to the concert. The entertainment was given by amateurs from Wellington, Christchurch and Carterton, and 1 in quality it reached a high standard. The stage decorations—which were the work of Mrs B. R. Gardener—were striking and pleasing.

"Anniversary March"—an instrumental trio for violin, coiinet and piano, was given by Miss Williamson, Mr G. Lester and Mrs Bould, as an introductory item. The tuneful violin lead of the composition was well and' skilfully played, and the subsidiary parts by cornet and piano were nicely modulated.

Miss Ben-ill, of Carterton—in the shire song "When we Coom'd oop from Zummerset"— struck the popular fancy Her voice—a deep-toned and true contralto—mas exactly suitable for the musical theme; her enunciation 1 was of a quality that enabled the audience to follow the dialect without difficulty. As an encore piece she sang "Coming Home," and the istrongly-eo>iitrasited nature of this song by comparison with her first number enabled her ta display her truly comprehensive range of vocn] ability.

Mr L. W. Hanlon (Wellington) recited "Singing Soldiers" (from C. J. Dennis's "Ginger Mick"). He cave a good-idea of the carcless, happy, reckless Australian's aspect towards life in general; whether in times of peace or stress; and his very occasional lapses into sentimentality winch Dennis in his verses always so happily conveys. On being recalled. Mr Hanlon gave the recruiting speech entitled "Kitchener."

Mr L. C. Barnes, of Christehurch, sang "The Two Grenadier.-," a dramatic composition of martial measure with a rousing refrain embodying the stirring air of t'he French national anthem. Mr Barnes's interpretation of the 6ong was a highly successful one, and he received a well-deserved recall. His encore number was a simple ballad of pathetic tone, which he sang most pleasingly.

"Little Nellie entertains the Missionary Lady" ' was given by little Miss Thelma Aitken, of Wellington. This trnlj' humorous dialogue had its "points" well stressed by the clever little amateur. In response to a recall she recited "Grandma Pays the Bill," and was again successful in pleasing her auditors. Mr Paul Latham (Wellington) contributed (in character) "A Voice from the 'Bush" (Adam Lindsay Gordon's metrical setting of some of his own and fellow-sufferers' experiences). A musical setting to the verse wias played) by Mrs Bould (piano), while the reciter gave the verses with the introspective tone of bitterness appropriate to a 'down and out" man. It was a capital effort; the only weak point in it was the "character make-up"' of a swagman in leggings. An Australian on tramp would' oast off his leggings before he had tramped one diav'iu the blistering Austral sun. His encore number was a sketch of a Cockney "talker for beer" whose (speciality was the telling of how lie lost his arm (never twice in the one way).

Miss Ivy Stewart ("Wellington) sang Alfred Hill's Waiata Poi," accompanying herself on the piano. The light and daintily-tripping musical expression for the words, and the" abandon of its concluding composition, were voiced and played artistically, the purity of the Ringer's tones being undeniable. "Mifanwy"—ia new composition that sounded better than its name looks — was Mies Stewart' encore number. • a THE MAYOR'S SPEECH. Mr C. Blenkhorn, mayor of Levin, said it was well to remember, when tlhey had so excellent a program as they had enjoyed that evening, that the entertainment was subsidiary to the proceedings; the chief business was to say farewell and give a good "sendoff" to the men w'ho were going to the front to fight for the empire. On behalf of the citizens of Levin he wished their guests the best of luck and that they soon would be home safe and sound. .He also asked the men to rem'ember that always they would' be glad to hear from them while they were at the front, and that 'lio personally would be glad to make public any message that came to him in his official capacity. (Applause). Mrs Blenikhom also wished the men good luck and god-speed. The audience then sang heartily "For they are Jolly Good Fellows."

Tho mayor made graceful references to the excellent work of Mr Kenneth Aitken in securing the attendance of the talented contributors who had given that evening's concert. Mr Blenkhorn also referred in appreciative manner to the work of Mrs Gardener in deorating the stage. LEVIN'S QUOTA. The presentation of Cardigan jackets to Levin's men of the 29th Reinforcements was made, as customary, bv the Ladies' committee of tho Levin Patriotic Soiety. Mrs Blenkhorn (mayoress) handted tho jackets to the men on behalf of the committe. The list of

the men is as follows:— F. Musgrove, Levin. 11. H. Palmer, Levin. C. S. Parsons, Levin. W. Whitaker, Levin. S. B. Read, Fairfield, Levin. 0. W. Read, Fairfield, iLevin. W. Graham, Levin. L. Alsdorf, Levin. 0. Ingram, Levin. C. Stevenson, Levin. Apologies for unavoidable albsence were sent by Messrs Graham and Whitaker. Messrs Graham and Musgrove were in attendance. The second part was begun with a recitation "Mr Cohen at the Telephone" contributed by Mr Hanlon. "Snorkins of Slopperton-on-Slosh," his next contribution gained him an imperative thirdi recall, but time being Tate no further items were given by Mr /Hanlon. Miss l Berrill's second song "The Mountain Lovers," proved to be further illustrative of this singer's versatile ability. The resonant passages of the end stavesd were beautifully voiced. She was enthusiastically applauded and in response she sang "A Red Rosebud."

Miss Thelma Aitken pleasedt her hearers with a recitation about the baby and bowed her acknowledgment of a recall.

Airlie Dix's wonderfully fine song, "The Trumpeter" was given by Mr Barnes, who responded with a spirited vocal setting of Henley's stirring challenge to the world's preternatural forces, embodied in his occasionallyquoted verses, including the lines: "I am the Master of My Fate, and the Captain of my Soul!"

Miss Ivy Stewart, at the piano, played and sang a. pleasing composition entitled "The Temple Bells." Its descriptive characteristics were well brought out

A military farce entitled "The 'Reruiting Office," given by Mr Phipps Williams (naval lieutenant) and Mr L. C. Barnes (recruit) concluded the entertainment. It caused uproarious merriment, the duo making the ludicrous points in telling manner.

The accompanist for the singers and reiters was Mrs 'Bould, whose sympathetic playing was in her well-known style.

The audience passed a vote of appreinfcion (by acclamation) to the entertain-