The Concert.

Manawatu Herald, 10 January 1895, Page 2

The Concert.

• The concert kindly tendered bj the united choirs of Sanson and Campbelltown in aid of the funds ol the Foxton State School was given in the Public Hall, Foxton, lasi night. The attendance was fairly good but not at all in proportion tc what the merits of the performance deserved. The first part was devoted to sacred music and the choii numbered not quite fifty owing, as Mr John Sanson, the conductor explained, to some having beer unable to get away. Those present however, were fully sufficient tc impart a very fine rendering of th< pieces selected. The anthem, " Exali Him all ye people" was the firs item, followed by the solo " Considei the Lillies " sung by Mv J. Sanson This gentleman did every justice tt the song and was very heartily applauded. The choir next gavi •• He that dwelleth " which wa-. als< much appreciated. Mi?s Neilsoi sang a solo in a manner whicl evoked much enthusiasm. " Hoy beautiful upon the mountains " b; the choir was exceedingly wei rendered. " The Mighty deep ' sung by Mr J. F. Stevens cam upon the audience as a greafc sur prise, the singer showing the pos session of a splendid bass voice wel cultivated, and his rendering of i was acknowledged to be as well as i could possibly have been given b the best of artists. He was encorei and repeated a portion in response The choir then gave " Cast th

burden on the Lord " followed by the solo " Chantry "most pleasingly, sung by Mrs Gifford. The firsft^ part terminated with the anthem b,W the choir «« God reigneth." ,) The wholo of the second part wa 8 unfortunately, owis? to want of time,, not wholly . gone . tb.ro.ugh,,*a_the t_a_a, so Mr Sanson said, had. to be caught. The audience asked that the tram be delayed, but this was one of the thinga not possible of attainment. The recounting of which, however, shows how. the audience were enjoying their evening. " Hail Smiling Morn," a glee by the choir formed the opening item, followed by Mr H. Stevens singing "In port." This tffcas a « treat, and the much desired Encore had to be refused for want of time. - Miss Neilsen gave the audience tfery much pleasure in her rendering of " The song that reaohed my -heart " with harp accompaniment, ahd' she yy received an encore, most deseared." Miss Amy Thomas, a very young lady, " caught on '-'with the audieno at onoe, in her violin selections. 2:%hs feet ofthe people exhibiting a desiis..,. to dance. An encore was irresistible.. Mr Stevens sang " The Mine^'V. which showed the depth hiS-Voiai . could reach. An encore this, time,, _ was not to be denied. ■ ,; . On the last item being thus pleftjh :? ingly rendered, Mr -Williams, the Mayor, rose and expressed to . thfi ■ visitors the pleasure the concert .had •' • given to the audience, wbich wag/,, endorsed by hearty applause. M? J. . y Sanson suitably replied. -.....?^ There is no doubt but that J.hii ;,,% concert is one of the besfc thafc has been given in the town for years, the choir showing a keen appreciation. o_H their duties, and the conductor, a' • stronghold of his position. Aparfc from the special soloists, the concert was very good, bufc with Miss; NeiU son, Miss Amy Thomas, and Mr Stevens, the evening became a mar^ r r ked one. On behalf of all interested in our school, we tender our thanks to Mr J. Sanson and the combined choirs for their most successful efforts to please. THE PICNIC. The visitors did nofc come down to Foxton merely to sing but tp pass a, happy day, and affcer a fashion they did, though had the rain kept off, they would have had a better fcime. However, we are glad to learn from them that the day had been a pleasant one to them. The day will have been a long one by the time it was finished, as they left Sanson afc 7.80 a.m., and arrived afc Foxton afc 10jH a.m. The party, numbering closest 1 on 60, went on board the s.S- -Ivy -- and steamed •up the river. Before reaching Wirikino heavy rain fell, i and a halt was made there and adi vantage taken of Mr Davies' empty woolshed, i.n which the party took lunch. After this necessary, and pleasant, duty had been carried pufc the rain cleared, and- all, or very nearly, climbed up on to theh-glj^, '■ sandhills and viewed the distant - country. A return to the Ivy wag then made, and the oourse pursued up to Paiaka, where a landing was made, and an inspection held ,yy ! of Mr Gardner's hemp mill. The retnrn was commenced afc 4.20 when rain again fell heavily for aboutcapu;- --' hour, and the wharf was reached afc 6.20. Tea was held on board. . Though ifc rained yefc by some means ™- ' or other, there was no one who gofc . wet, and it was real pleasant fco see ' the care the young men took.fco.keep. [ the rain off the ladies and them. elves \ under one umbrelia. lt appeaVecf tt. " be to them no matter for regret fchat ifc did rain a bit, and had we been as fortunately situated our feelings would probably have been fche same. We profited, however, from all this , > care, as umbrellas appeared to be in ■ abundance and some to spare, one of which was duly, appropriated to our comfort. We hope we may h&va f the opportunity of taking p*rt : in j just such another excursion, barring. \ . the rain, unless to us is els tended. " 7 counterbalancing attractions. Messrs _.; I Sawyers and Howan were most afcf ten tive to their duties and to the 1 comfort of fcheir passengers.