Last Night's Concert.

Manawatu Herald, 12 October 1899, Page 2

Last Night's Concert.

1? he concert organised by Mrs J. M. Collins in aid of the parsonage repair fund was held last night in the Church of England Sunday schoolroom.

The stage was prettily set off with a drapery of white curtains festponed with the wild clematis in flower, and *mall ferns along the front. The appearance from the auditorium waa very pleasing, and the designer deserves every credit. The music, as we had anticipated was very good, and met with full appreciation after the first three item a , as these seemed to have established the character of the music and nearly every item afterwards was encored. We remember the early days in this town and the interest the late Mr T. U. Cook took,^ in music, how friends used to travel 15 to 20 mile 3 without thought on purpose to meet at his hou^e to 3ing glees &0., and thus it is not suprieiog r,o find so many of his family are musical. We were compelled to hink as we listened to Mrs Ovillin", Mrs J. Symons, Miss Collins, Mr W. Cook and Mrs Collins 1 children, how pleased their late father wauld have been had he baen able to witness such a pleasant concert mid 9up so much by his descendant?. Miss Collins worked hard and helped most materially, and deserves oongratulacions on the success achieved.

The members of the Brass Band played two or three items outsida prior to the commencement of the concert, for which th°y were thanked by the Rev. H. Leach at the close of the evening, wbea the performers and audienoa were also thanked. The Schoolroom was full and from the report Bhowing the numerous encores, it will be patent that the items were fully appreciated. The overture, piano du*t, was very nicely played by Mrs Cook and Jdiss Collins A duet "In the Dusk of the Twilight," by Mra J. Robin3on and Mra Collins was a oapital item and war heartily applauded, and should have been repeated. " The Serenade," >by Miss Ojllins would have been nicer had the flute obligato not been so powerful, as at times the viorHs were undistiuguishable. Mr Leach's aong Cl Tbe Gladiator," ras well rendered and was much applauded. The duet, " Sainted Mother," by \frs J. Symons and Mr W. Cook jras the fiist item to receive an sncore. The voices blended beauti*. fully and in response to tbe 1 demand a portion was repeated. Mr Ecoles, wbo is undoubtedly a 3killed performer on the euphonium, secured a deserveJ encore. Mrs J. Robinson and Mrs Young followed with the duet " I Know a Bank," and in response to the encore sang " Spring Time." Mr Galloway, who has a rich baritone voice, sang '« The Postillion," and received a well-merited encore, in answer to which he eang " The Amateur Yachtsman." We were pleased to hear this gentleman, and trust that tbu will not ba the last time by many. Mrs J. Robinson's solo, 11 In the Light of the Moon," received an encore when a part was repeated. "Go Pretty Rnse," a aVt by Mra Synons and Miss Collins wag a very pretty item, and brought the first part to a fitting conclusion. Mra Oook and Miss Collins played the overture to the second part and the trio " Coming thro 1 the Rye ' by Mrs Symons, Mr and Mrs W. Cook followed. In response tn tbe demand we had "The Diar Little Shamrock." Mrs F. Young sang •• Ovtr the Summer Sea " very nicely and four children ('he little Collins) sang " Daddy " and were recalled. A. very nice item was the flute solo played by Mr Galloway " Beneath thy Window," and it wai very much liked. Mr W. Cook sang the "Friar of Orders Grey " in splendid style, nnd for an encore sang "Happy Mo-

ments Day by Day." The duet " Elfin Call," sang by Miss and Master H. Collins, wag re-demanded, as it dessrved to be, being very pretty. Mrs Collins sang " Echo " pleasingly; as did Mr Leach " The Flight of Ages." Miss Collins con eluded the programme by singing •' Last Night," and the audience by Binging •• Good Save the Queen."