CONCERT AND PRESENTATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6490, 15 December 1881, Page 5

CONCERT AND PRESENTATION.

Last evening a farewell concert, entirely sacred, was tendered to Mr and Mrs J. H. Edmonds, who ore about to take their departure for South Canterbury, in the Sydenham Presbyterian Church, kindly lent for the occasion. There was a fair attendance. The first part of the concert consisted of anthems, solos, and a quartette rendered by the Church choir, assisted by friends. The second part was the cantata “Nativity;” given by the Sydenham Amateur Musical Society, and accompanied by a band under the leadership of Mr A. Oorriok in a manner that heightened the effect very much. The choruses of the first part, “I will lift up mine eyes” and “ Sanotus," were exceedingly well given; and the quartette, “God who cannot be unjust,’’ by Mr and Mrs Edmonds, Mr Edwards and Master Miller, was encored. The solos by Mr Edmonds, Miss Ness, and Mr 0. Fox were nicely given, each being heartily encored. Mr Lusk sang “ In Native Worth ” very well; and Mrs Edmonds, “O, rest in the Lord" with her usual good taste. During the evening Mr Joyce, the Mayor elect, ascended the dais, and apologising for the unavoidable absence of Mr J. T. Brown, on behalf of the members of the Sydenham Amateur Musical Society presented Mr Edmonds with abaidn, an the silver mounting of which was inscribed, “Presented to Mr J. H. Edmonds on his leaving the district, by the Sydenham Amateur Musical Society. Deo. 14, 1881." In making the presentation Ur Joyce referred in high terms to Mr Edmonds’ zeal in originating the Society, and his labour of love in conducting it so successfully for the past two years j also, to the concerts given in tho aid of the Borough School Prize Fund and other benevolent funds. Ho desired also to thank tho authorities of tho Church for granting the gratuitous use of the building. Mr Edmonds briefly but feelingly returned thanks, regretting that oirommtanoes compelled his removal. Ho thought the best use he could put the hatdn to was to conduct the remainder of tho concert with it, which accordingly waa done. Mrs Edmonds and Miss Collins, and Messrs Edwards and Miller rendered the more prominentpiccasin a highly creditable manner. Messrs H. F. Towle and J, W. Baker presided at the organ. Tho Notional Anthem brought one of tho bent concerts hitherto given in Sydenham to a close.