MILITARY CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1500, 22 January 1916, Page 3

MILITARY CONCERT.

Foxton presented a very animated scene on Thursday evening when a thousand men arrived by special train - from the military camp at Rangiotu. The men were accompanied by the regimental band and a number of the officers. They were met at the station by the Mayor. Ibe band marched from the station to the Town Hall via Wharf and Main Sts and delighted townspeople who lined the route with their stirring music. The hall was quickly filled in all parts. Prior to the commencement of the concert, the Mayor, on behalf of the townspeople, extended a welcome to the soldiers and performers. The latter by kind permission of the officer commanding, had offered their talents to assist a laudable effort for a very noble cause, that of providing funds for the relief ot their wounded mates at the front. Their efforts were much appreciated by the public of Foxton generally and the Foxton Girls’ Guild in particular, under whose auspices the concert was held. He hoped the concert would stimulate recruiting in the town, for although Foxton had sent many men to the front, more were wanted and wanted urgently, If there were any men present who were able and fit to go who had not volunteered, he trusted that before they got home they would make up their minds to go and help their mates at the front who were battling for King and Empire, for Liberty, Truth and Justice and for the right to live a free life in a free country (applause). The following programme was then submitted, each item being keenly appreciated Overture by the Band, song, Sergt. Smith; recitation,' Rifleman C. MacDonald ; selection, orchestra ; song, Q.M.S. Vosper ; monologue, S.M, Greenwood; song, Corp, Dorsefield; recitation, Lieut. J. W. Luxford ; song, Lieut. Brooks; selection, Band ; song, Sergt. Hemmingson ; song, Capt. Robinson ; recitation, Rifleman H. McDonald ; song, Rifleman Liversidge; selection, Orchestra; duet, Q.M.S. Vosper and Rifleman Horsefield ; monologue, S.M. Greenwood; soug, Sergt. Smith. “God Save the King” was sung at the close by the performers and the whole of the audience. Prior to the last item the Mayor, who had presided as chairman throughout the evening, came forward and thanked the officers, performers and band for the very fine concert given and specially thanked Mr Smith, the manager of Fuller’s Pictures, who had arranged the concert and who had worked so hard to make it. a success. The Girls’ Guild wished him to say how deeply grateful they were to Mr Smith for his kind efforts on their behalf. The Mayor also paid a tribute to the great assistance rendered by Chaplain Burgiu, who was the life and soul of the concert. Chaplain Burgin replied thanking the audience for the applause they had bestowed upon tne performers, the Girls’ Guild for providing supper not only for, those taking part in the concert, but all soldiers In the hall, he also thanked the Mayor for his kind remarks and said they were all glad and pleased to come because tne boys always liked to help the girls, specially when they were doing such good work as the Foxton Girls’ Guild were doing. The whole concert was an undoubted success from start to finish. The songs by Captain Robinson, Q.M.S. Vosper, Corp. Horsefield were quite equal to many professional singers, while the recitations of Rifleman Hector MacDonald simply brought down the house and he was recalled again and again ; the monologue of S.M. Greenwood also obtained well deserved encore; the band played two selections lu a very fine manner, while the orchestral selections were very nicely rendered and encores demanded. It was the opinion of many that the gem of the evening was the duet by Q.M.S. Vosper and Corporal Horsefield “The Perfect Day,” the voices blended sweetly and it was most feelingly rendered. Lieut. Luxford’s recitations were very humorous and greatly appreciated. At the close of the concert the girls got busy dispensing supper and between the supper room and the main hall served upwards of 500 men with tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes and cold drinks, and after supper the men cheered lustily for the girls and their entertainment. The officers thanked the Mayor warmly for kindness extended by the girls, and all got away for camp by special train at ir p.m.