PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 434, 10 September 1908, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT.

The grand concert, organised by the local Presbyterian Church, under the leadership of Mr John Bett, of Palmerston North, took place in the Public Hall last evening, when a party consisting of about 16 accomplished artists journeyed from Palmerston in order to provide the programme. A large audience was in attendance, and the entertainers in their turn were royally received with marked appreciation. The Foxton Orchestral Society, comprising Misses Avis and Rlsie Symons, Hilda Cook (violins), Furrie (piano), and Messrs Betty (euphonium) and Moorman (flute) opened with an overture, ‘ ‘ Spanish Carnival,” followed with a glee by company. The trio " Night Sinks on the Wave,” contributed by Mrs Hall and Misses Paget was well rendered; Mr and Mrs Henderson’s vocal duet “ Cauld Blast,” was received with loud applause ; the Rev. G. K. Aitken’s elocutionary effort was rather appreciati ed ; Misses O. and H. Bett received an ovation for Shaun Trews (dance) the music for same supplied by their sister, Miss Bett ; Mrs Hall’s song, “ O Whistle and I’ll come tae ye, my lad,” was encored and response she sang “ Within a Mile of Edinburgh Town ” ; Miss Catherell was vociferously applauded for her pleasing rendition of " The Green Fields of Virginia ” ; Mr Bett received an encore for his song, “ Doreen,” to which he responded with "Any Rags,” his daughter playing his accompaniments ; Miss Brown acted as accompanist to all the other singers._ After a brief interval the audience was again favoured with a selection, "Constellation,” by the orchestra, which was recalled; the second glee by the company was received with applause, as was also a vocal duet by the Misses Paget, “ For all Eternity”; Misses Brown and Bett contributed a pianoforte duet in good style, for which they received a decided ovation; Miss Avis Symons, Foxton’s talented young violinist, literally brought down the house with her excellent violin solo, and was compelled to reappear (accompanied by Mr Cornwall, piano); Mrs Hall sang "Dounthe Burn” in her usual

efficient manner; Mr and Mrs Henderson’s vocal duet, was undoubtedly the gem of the evening, the singers being received with rounds of deafening applause and had to respond to a double encore ; the Hornpipe by the Misses Bett (twins) was danced perfectly, and the little girls were loudly applauded ; Misses Brown and Cathrell’s vocal duet (accompanied by Mass Bett) was very nicely reh-v v dered, both young ladies being in excellent voice ; Mr Bett rendered his second song in a good manner; the Scotch Reel by Misses Paget (2), Bett, and Mrs Hall proved highly entertaining. Considerable annoyance was caused by the stamping of feet coming from the direction of the pit, and continual audible harsh whisperings, the latter being particularly noticable during Mr Aitken’s pathetic recitation, “ Absalom.” It was notice- v able that both constables were absent. The entertainment concluded with “ God Save the King,” sung by the company. The proceeds are in aid of the Presbyterian Organ Fund, and should prove helpful in wiping off a fair portion of the debt incurred by the procuring of that instrument.