Primitive Methodist Concert.

Manawatu Herald, 27 February 1896, Page 2

Primitive Methodist Concert.

The above concert given at the Foxton Publio Hall on Tuesday night last was not so well attended as it should have been, but the audience were quick to applaud and demand more from those who acquitted themselves so well. The concert was mainly a sacred one, and the different numbers rendered by the

combined choir of some thirty performers were riluch appreciated* The Rev. Mr Barnett ably conducted the choir in all the choruses, a number of the singers coming from Shannon. An orchestra, consisting of Miss Saunders (organ), Miss L. Austin and Mr C. Austin (violins), - and Mr White (cornet), all took part in the choruses, and helped the per* formers along famously. After Mr Barnett had given a denial to the rumour that had gained currency to the effect that the concert was promoted to liquidate some Court expenses, the first number was played by Miss Neilson on the harp, and then the choir gava an opening exercise " The Lord's Prayer." The chorus " Praise the Lord," was next given in good time by the choir, and then Misa Murdoch, who appeared for the first time before a Foxton audience, sang very sweetly " Tho Promise of Life." Mr Alf Fraser recited •• A Sailor's Yarn " and was much applauded. The ohoir then made its appearance again with the chorus " Zion." Mrs Kendall was the first recipient of an tncort for her eong " Waiting," and Mr Nation was also loudly applauded for his laughable reading, which kept the audience in a good humour throughout. Mr W. Grace's golo " Behold I stand at the Door," was well received, showing the singer to be the possessor of a very powerful bass voice. Miss Neilson followed with " Listening Angels," and aocompanied herself on the harp, and she was deservedly recalled. This young lady is always a weloome viii< tor on the Foxton stage. The second part of the programme was opened after a short intermit* sion by Miss Neilson playing a harp solo entitled "The March of the Men of Harlech," and the ohoir sang a chorag " Bless the Lord." Mrs Kendall's solo " Ora pro nobis " was sung nicely, and then the audience had another reading from Mr Nation entitled " The Mad Bishop," which was perhaps a little too long. A chorus •• Strike the Cymbal " by the choir, and then Mr W. Grace made his appearance again with the song " The Mighty Deep," which suited him much better than his first solo. The singer was recalled, and favoured the audience with another good solo " A Life on the Rolling Sea." Mr Alf Fraser'a recitation " A Soldier's Pardon " was well rendered, and was new to the audience. Mis 3 Murdoch's rendition of " The Toilers " was given with good efiect, and received a wellmerited encore, to which she responded with " Dolly's Revenge." Miss Neilson was the last soloist on ihe programme with " Listening," with the harp accompaniment, and it proved to be the gem of the evening. This young lady had to return and sang for an encore " Home Sweet Home," with the music Bet to Norwegiau words, as was also her first eaeore aolo. The evening's amusement was concluded by the choir singing the " Doxology, 1 ' a nicsly-ananged piece. Miss NeiLson made an efficient accompanidt to the soloists, and Miss Saunders also played the organ in all the chorus pieces. Miss Taylor, of Buckley, was heard to advantage as the leading soprano in all the choir pieces. A novelty in the shapa of pro* grammes was provided by the ticket ot admission also having on its back the printed programme for the even 1 * ing. The piano used for the vocalists was one kindly lent by Messrs Westwood and Co.

The visitors, including a couple of boat loads of friends, spent yesterday morning on the river and enjoyed themselves immensely. At noon the flax hands from the three mills assembled near Hadfield'g mill and a short but enjoyable pro* gramme was gone through. Misses Neilson and Murdoch sang the duet, " Flow on Thou Shining Biver ;" Miss Taylor, of Buckley, " Tit for Tat ;" and Mr Grace " One Hundred Fathoms Deep" and also "The Skipper." The hands gave three hearty cheers by way of thanks. In the afternoon the party went over to Shannon and gave a repetition of the concert given here, which we learn was equally as successful.