WAHAROA.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 69, 14 February 1918, Page 2

WAHAROA.

Mrs A. Tong and family are visiting relatives at Mercury Bay. Two acres of land having lft?en leased from Mr White, a flaxmill has been erected thereon and will shortly be enlivening the district with its droning melody. Mr Adams, of Walton, constructed the frame work and Messrs Thompson and Robinson are installing the machinery. Owing to the warm weather and the absence of several members the Red Cross society has decided not to resume its fortnightly meeting until the beginning of March, though this has not prevented several of the more enthusiastic members continuing the good work in their own homes. The result is that the following parcel was last month forwarded to Morrinsville suits of pyjamas, 3 -undervests, 2 underpants, 3 stump socks. The school has re-opened with a roll .number of 64. Mr A. K. Weeks, who takes a keen interest in all that may contribute to the children's pleasure, has donated a sum of 25s towards giving them a pleasant afternoon in the bush during half-time school. Prior to the break up the school children presented Miss Amy Connolly with a pair of silver serviette rings, suitably inscribed on the occasion of her marriage to Mr Stanley Clark, of Gordon. .Private Clark has recently been transferred to the 35th reinforcement. CONCERT. Our enterprising hall trustees Messrs Tong, Blyth, Ryan, and Weeks having purchased the picture plant from Messrs Warner and Edwards and found that a satisfactory investment have now turned their attention to procuring scenery for the stage. Accordingly a contract was entered into with Messrs Randall and Coffey, of Hamilton, to supply the same, with the result that a very fine piece of work has been capably executed and is a decided acquisition to the decorative appearance of the stage. It consists of two scenes one a landscape and the other a drawing room interior with suitable wings to match, two proscenium wings and one sky border. A concert was then held last Wednesday, 6th inst., to defray expenses with the highly satisfactory result that over £32 was netted. The success was largely attributed to the efforts of Messrs M. Coffey, W. Randall, Fort, Fyre, Howley and Miss Edwards, of Hamilton ; to Miss H. Nixon, of Rotorua; Miss M. Ross, of Walton; Mr Yardley, of Matamata; and Mr G. Newsome, of Wardville. Mr Randall in his humorous sketches and coster songs provoked peals of laughter and loud demands for more, his items easily forming an evening's entertainment in themselves. Mr Fort delighted the audience with his clever impersonation, notably his " Uucle Joe," which was a yery fine piece of characterisation indeed. Miss Nixon, who accompanied herself at the piano, gave delightful and artistic renderings of "Agatha. Green," "Hello Tu Tu," and "A Hundred Pipers" being vociferously recalled for each item. Miss Myra Ross, although suffering from a severe cold, sang very sympathetically " The Exile's Return " bowing responses to an encore. This young lady has a beautiful contralto voice of rare and even quality and her items are always much appreciated numbers on a concert programme. Mr A. Yardley whose singing is always so much in demand again favored a Waharoa audience with several numbers having to respond to insistent encores. MrG.Newsome'sifine elocutionary effort " The Countess May" was a very beautiful number but suffered somewhat in effect from being placed amongst many items of a more humourous character. A bright contribution which concluded the concert was a comedy farce " The Irish Doctor" produced by Mr Maurice Coffey. As Felix O'Callaghan, the fictitious Irish doctor, he gave a very fine portrayal and created much merriment. The Julie Banks of Miss Maud Edwards was played with much natural vim and brightness, and the part of Chas Rover, the shamming invalid suitor, allotted to Fyre' was capably sustained. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Wade, Misses Ross and Nixon and Mr Clive Howley, of Hamilton, this gentlemen also playing the opening overture in a brillant and finished style. Mr A. J. Tong as chairman conducted the proceedings with promptitude and efficiency, and the National Anthem terminated one of the most successful concerts yet held in the distric-. Supper, which was under tht capable management of Mre Duncan McMillen and her assists ants, was then dispensed to the performers and dancers.

Arrangements for the dance were carried out by Messrs A. Forsman and F. Pitts. Mention must also be made of the dance music voluntarily supplied by Mr and Mrs Darby, of Mataniata, several visitors remarking that the district was very fortunate in possessing musicians of so high an order of merit. Extras were played by Mrs Wade and Miss A. Carroll.