CONCERT AT OROUA BRIDGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 452, 9 March 1909, Page 3

CONCERT AT OROUA BRIDGE.

A most enjoyable and successful concert was held on Friday night at Oroua Bridge, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, the object being to raise a sum towards the Manse Fund, which will substantially benefit thereby. The performers, 16 in number, journeyed from Palmerston by the evening train and returned by motor car and horse vehicle at the close of the performance. The programme consisted chiefly of Scotch songs and hornpipe dances, while the “skirt” of the bagpipes lent an air of “ Bonny Scotland” to the usually quiet atmosphere ot Oroua Bridge, that made the residents of that centre of flax and cream disposed to adopt the “kiltand tara-a-shanta” as the at sfi'ttvd Ichiic of all social functions.' The programme was under the direction of Mr T. P. Henderson, and everyone did his or her utmost to excel.

The programme opened with the part song, “There was a man was born in Kyle,” this, and the other part songs, “My Nannie’s Awa’,” “Corn Rigs ” and “The Rowan Tree,” were rendered by a party of 12 singers, and the sweet harmony of the music, with the clear enunciation of the words, indicated an amount of training and a proficiency of execution that is seldom heard outside the very large centres of population. “The Rowan Tree” was particularly fine, and while a credit to the performers, was certainly a splendid interpretation of the composer’s ideal. Mr Stevens, in his “ Scottish Emigrants’ Farewell,” was quite at home, which showed his pleasing tenor voice to advantage. Mr R. Burns in his “ Highland Fling ” in full highland costume was a marked feature of the entertainment. The other dances were “Sheuntrewhs” and the “Sword Dance” by Master Raeburn, a youth of about 15 years took the audience completely by surprise aud demands for an encore had to be responded to. This young man is a marvel in the graceful movements which his items gave him an opportunity of displaying, and we should say for lightness of step and neatness in execution he has few equals in New Zealand. Mrs Hall in her “ Caller Herrin” in fishwife costume with creel and real herrings made the ‘hit’ of the evening, and had to repeat her song in response to the demands of the audience, in her other song “The Lost Chord” she also had to respond to an encore when she rendered “The Auld Scotch Sangs.” Mrs Hall is a delight in any song she undertakes, but it is when she sings a fine Scotch song that she is heard at her best, aud if we might be permitted to advise we would say “stick tae the Scotch, Mrs Hall.” Two recitations by Mr Aitkeu representing certain phases of ‘Scottish home-life” were highly appreciated, Mr aud Mrs Henderson sang the duet “Very Auspicious ” in a way that brought forth thunderous demands for an encore to which they responded with the “Keys of Heaven ” in a style that won the hearty appreciation ot the audience. The trio “ Night Hymn at Sea” was an item of high quality aud beautifully rendered by the Misses Paget and Mrs Hall. The duet by the Misses Paget “ Nocturne ” in the second half gave these young ladies an opportunity of displaying the qualities of their welltrained voices. “ Willie Brewed a Peck o’ Maut ” was the real funny piece of the evening aud drew forth roars of laughter aud applause. The bacchanalian character of the song gave ample opportunity for the display of the convinced character of the Scottish people, in which the performers Messrs Henderson, Morris and Stevens seemed to be past-masters. The response to demands for encore resulted in the raising of the curtain to disclose a tableau that was at once more picturesque than elegant and provoked screams of mirth. Miss Paget’s pretty little song “ The Miller and the Maid ” prettily rendered, and a “ Scotch Reel ” by Mrs Hall and Miss Paget and Messrs Burns aud Raeburn which had to be repeated on the demand of the audience completed a programme every item of which was one of merit. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne” in the chorus of which the audience joined terminated an evening’s entertainment that will live long in the memory of the dwellers at Oroua Bridge. The accompaniments were played by Mr J. Unwin Whitehead, who did his work well, the same may be said of Mr Raeburn who played the pipes for the dances. Mr Tennant proposed a vote of thanks to the performers which was vigoriously responded to. If this company of talented performers paid a visit to Foxtou they would command a full house.