Sunday School Concert.

Manawatu Herald, 15 October 1896, Page 3

Sunday School Concert.

This concert was a pronounced sucoesß both in point of attendance and as regards the performance. The combined building of chapel and school was well filled, and the number of those present from other churches showed the good feeling that exists in our community. The schoolroom was prettily decorated with festoons of evergreens and flowers, and the walls adorned with scriptural pictures, while at the far end was placed the Sunday School Banner, showing the school to have been established as far back as 1876, and the whole was well lighted by fine- Eochester lamps. The young performers were placed on a gallery at the far end of the school, and looked very bright and happy in their white dresses and sashes of blue and pink. The Rev. S. Barnett, during the course of a short address, said that although tho Methodists were not the richest or biggest people in the place, still they could now boast of having the largest Ecclesiastical building in the town. He returned thanks to the various helpers that had contributed to bring the undertaking to a successful issue ; amongst others he mentioned the yoang men of the congregation, Mr E. Osborne for free use of piano for a year, Newtown Church for ceiling centrepiece, Mr Newth, of PalmerstoD, who returned half the contract price for building chimney and bricking copper, the Religious Tract Society for pictures on walls, E. P. Osborne for framing same, &c. The Rev. gentleman further stated that when the work was commenced they had in the Bank some £50, the blocklaying brought them in £36 Si 6d, and various other subscriptions raised the amount to £180, on the strength of which they had spent £185, and on the completion expected to 1 be some £40 in debt. The thanks of the congregation he said were 3ue to Messrs Dillon Bros , who had carried out their contract faithfully and well, and concluded his remarks by congratulating Mr E. Osborne, the superintendent, on having such a fine schoolroom, and also on being that same day the father of twins, this last remark was the signal for an outburst of applause. To Mrs Gray was conveyed the hearty thanks of the Trustees for her services in organising the concert. The first item on the programme was an ♦' Opening Ode," by the children ; the second a pianoforte duet by the Misses Spring and Osborne, which was very nicely played ; then followed an Action Song, " The Sun and Star " by the children, and was very pleasingly sung and acted ; a song •• Remember now thy Creator," by Miss McLean, was the next item, which was sung with taste and received well merited applause ; then came nursery rhymes by the children, given with spirit and re-demanded ; a vocal duet, "Pulaski's Banner," by the Misses Gibson, was well rendered, and evoked considerable applause; a recitation by Mies Woodcock showed possession of a good memory, but was somewhat marred by being inaudible at the back ; Miss Emma Spriug then sang ••The Flower in the Letter," a pretty song and nicely sung ; the next item proved to be an action song by the children, " The Japanese Fan," the effect of motion of thy fans with which each child was provided added greatly to the success which crowned their effort, and the audience insisted on an encore ; Miss Ella Sawyers then gave a humorous little recitation called "I'm Grand' mother," for which the tiny performer received considerable applause. The first half of the programme was then finished with what was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, •' The Children's Home," by Miss Newth, a visitor to Foxton, with a violin accompaniment by Mi C. Austin. The second part com« menced with a violin and pianoforte duet by Mr 0. and Miss L. Austin, which was very nicely played ; this was followed by a sono:, " The Boj and the Brook," by Miss Simpson, who has a nice voice, and promises 10 b© better known later on ; thee came a chorus by the children, " '1 hi OUurch Bell," which was verj pretty and, went with a nice swing

receiving generous applause; Miss Osboins next played a pianofortt so'o.and fhowed considerable talent a vocal duet by Mrs Gray auc Miss Newfh received an encore " Humble is our Little Cottage," a round by the children, was very nicely sung, and the audience showed their appreciation ; the comic song, " Tha Royal Wild Beast Show,'* Kj Master Eddie Osborne fairly brough( down the house. In Master Eddie we possess a coming xonjic singer of no small ability, he was very good, and had to respond to an unmistakable encore; Master Bert Westwood's recitation, setting forth how " the new baby put liis nose out of joint," -was very amusing ; a pianoforte duet, ki Sultan's Grand March," Miss and Master Osborne, was well played and deservedly applauded; tho last item on tho p?ogramme was a vocal duet by the Misse3 Clyde Sawjes and Birdie Osborne, "I won't play in your yard," the singing and gestures of these young ladies was very clever and spirited, the last verse had to be repeated in response to calls of the audience. A very agreeable concert was brought to a close by the Rev. S. Barnett announcing that the hall would be used again in about a fortnight, on the oesasion of the Bachelor Tea.