THE IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE ENTERTAINMENT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 286, 14 August 1886, Page 2

THE IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE ENTERTAINMENT.

Without exception, the most successful entertainment yet held in Lyell took place on last Friday week, August 6th, at Fennell's Hall, the object being to raise funds for the Irish National League. The management was in the hands of a committee, who from beginning to end showed that they thoroughly understood the duties devolving upon them, and the result was that from the rising of the curtain, 8 o'clock, until the last dance on a programme of 26 items, 6.30 the fok lowing morning, 10| hours of thorough enjoyment; was participated in by a very numerous company, and scarcely one incident occurred to mar the pleasure of those assembled during that time. Punctually at 8 o'clock Mr R. W. M'Coy, who performed the duties of chairman, came forward and announced the first item on the programme, an overture, by Mrs Mangos (piano), and Messrs Inglis and Hill (violin and picolo); the piece selected was a waltz, and the execution showed careful practice and thorough mastery of the instruments. Miss Dollimore sang " I Cannot Mind my Wheel," and although showing a little nervousness, fairly succeeded. Mr T. O'Callaghan rendered " Tara's Halls " with his usual ability, and certainly left no room for complaint on the ground of not being heard; we would like to see this gentleman on some future occasion* delineate the comic side of nature. Mr C. Bennett, who came from Hampden, a distance ol 22 miles, amply proved to the audience that his importation was thoroughly up to expectation, his appearance on the stage being the signal for uproarious laughter, and on the conclusion of his song, which was rather lengthy, a determined encore was demanded, and the audience were treated to another really comic local song of equal duration. " When Jack Comes Home from Sea," a very pretty ballad, was well and feelingly rendered by Mrs R. Carroll. A recitation by Master E. Dollimore, entitled " The Charge of the Highland Brigade," was carefully and well delivered, especially taking into consideration the age of the boy undertaking so difficult a piece. Miss Alice Patterson followed in that beautiful old ballad, " Silver Threads Among the Gold," and together with her pleasant appearance and excellent rendition of the music, gave thorough satisfaction. Mr F. Harrison, who possesses a powerful and withall musical voice, gave a very enjoyable buffo song, entitled" " The Fly- j ing Trapeze," and narrowly escaped an encore. " The Dear Little Shamrock " was carefully and correctly rendered by Mrs C. Neville. Mr G. Von Bell, who also came a long distance for this concert, sang in a manner which immediately convinced the audience of his ability as a vocalist. " The Vacant Chair," a very touching melody, was given by Mrs C. Bowden with correct musical taste and volume, and was greatly admired. The next item, and the last of the first part, was entitled the " Stage Struck Schoolboy," by Mr H. Young, was received with bursts of applause, and although belonging to the elongated order, was redemanded, when the gentleman treated the audience to another item of the same description. Mrs Maugos and Mr James Inglis opened the second part with a highly enjoyable and well executed instrumental duett on piano and violin. Mr C. Bennett followed with a comic song, and again gave satisfaction. "Belle Mahone " was rendered by Mrs Campbell in a thoroughly praiseworthy manner, and the audience tally testified their ap-

preciation by prolonged applause. Mrs C. Neville again appeared, and even to greater advantage, in that beautiful song entitled " The Good-bye at the Door." The next item was the event of the evening, a song entitled " Jock M'Grath," by a small boy about nine years old (Master E. M'Coy) and as each verse proceeded the applause of the- audiei.ee beeame unbounded, the termination eliciting a well-merited and decided encore, wlien the little fellow again came forward, and with all the sang-froid imaginable, astonished the audience further by singing another song fully equal to the first. Mrs R. Carroll very feelingly and tastefully sang the beautiful Irish ballad, 11 Killarney." What was undoubtedly the best song of the night, and strange to say escaped an encore, was given by Mr A. A. Corfield, entitled " Eileen Allanah," this gentleman possesses not only a sweet barritone voice, bnt sings all his songs with that musical finish and precision, which was early instilled into him by that excellent band of vocalists known some few years back as the Blacks' Point Glee Club. Miss Dollimore on her second appearance convinced the audience of the possession of an excellent voice, and sang " She Never Blamed Him, Never " with great taste and feeling. Mr H. Yonng finished the programme by a comicality entitled the '* Tho Irish Drummer." Mrs Mangos presided at the piano during the evening, and assisted by Messrs Inglis and Hill, provided the various accompaniments to the singing, with taste and correctness. The entertainment concluded at 10 o'clock and appeared to give every satis, faction. Immediately the audience dispersed, the stage scenery and forms, &c, were cleared away by the vigorous exertions of tho committee and the room made ready for dancing. Indeed, at one time it was feared, from the amount of vigour thrown into the work, that the old Com mercial Hotel would have disappeared from the scene. However, at 10.30 the room was handed over to Mr C. Neville, under whose able management the ball commenced, and as before stated continued until 6. 30 the following morning. As many as eight sets were on the floor at one time, and in some of the circular dancs fully forty couples stood up. The crowded state of the room at times made dancing the reverse of enjoyable. We promised in last issue to -enumerate some of the principal ladies' costumes, and possibly the " Bell, of the Ball," but owing to the stern fact of their only being one way of getting to or from our office, we refrain; and have every reason to believe from our short acquaintance with Lyell, that our discretion will be the better for us. What little hair now graces the heads of our staff is required there, and notwithstanding the good old saying isof half a loaf is better than no bread, half a brick is not. All jokes aside, some of the dresses worn on the occasion were far more costly and elaborate than was anticipated, and, contrasted with the fern decorations of the ball room, presented a very pleasing effect. The music for the ball was provided by Messrs Inglis and Hill, and as is usual with these gentlemen gave every satisfaction. At the conclusion cheers were called for loyal, patriotic, and national objects, and were heartily accorded.