MOUTOA MERRY-MAKERS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2466, 12 August 1922, Page 2

MOUTOA MERRY-MAKERS

“A SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

For many years past the Mnutoa settlers have felt the want of a hall wherein to foregather for social and. other purposes. The only place available is the sehoolhouse which is quite inadequate to accommodate the settlers and their families on .-udi occasions. Mr W. Carter generously gave a site, near the post office, for a hall and a certain sum of money was raised for the building. Then flic war broke out and it was decided to hand over the funds in hand in aid of the sick and wounded soldiers and at a later date to raise fresh funds for the erection of a hall. Mr J. Ait-ken, who was recently appointed headmaster oi the scliooi was approached and ingly consented to use his talents ami organising ability to forward the building scheme and organised, the young men and women in the district into a concert party. By careful training latent talent was •discovered and trained in chorus work. With the co-operation of Miss Upton a talented mezzo soprano, Mesdames Hall, Dnvey and Aitken, all experienced in concertwork, the company made splendid headway and with the assistance of a few outside vocalists presented a concert programme of undoubted merit in the Town Hall on Thursday night. The performers were attired as pierrots and pierettes and the grouping round the Peace tableau presented a charming picture. The choruses were fairly well balanced and ihe graceful movements of llio-e taking part, gave an animated appearance to the work. As an amateur performance and for a first attempt, Moutoa did itself proud and the audience was enthusiastically appreciative throughout. Air H. E. Bennett, of Palmerston North, tit tended to the “make-up,” Airs W. 11. Smith fashioned the costumes, Mrs Dnvey was an excellent accompanist and Airs Hall trained and supervised the children’s dance, while more than passing mention is due to Mi- J. Aitken for his untiring and successful efforts.

Early in the evening the rain

came down in torrents but despite rliis drawback, which kept many awny, the attendance was excellent. The programme was as follows: Opening chorus, company; song ‘‘Agatha Green," Miss Upton, songs “Go to Sea," and “Jogging along the Highway" Air Head, humorous items, “Tony” (not forgetting the yodelling dog), and “My Favourite Flowers,” Mr Hornblow, recitation, “The old Flag,” Airs Bagnall; song “Our own Dear Flag,” Mrs J. Aitken ; song “Come to the Fair” Mr Mason; song “Jumpers,” Airs Freeman; song “Oh what a difference the Navy’s made to Ale,” Mr Quarrie; song “Irene,” Airs Dnvey; song “Weeping Willow Lane (with harmonised chorus), Mrs Stan. Austin; dance by Moutoa children; chorus, “Oh Johnny,” company; song “The Sheik,” Mrs Davey; song “Can’t you hear me Callin’ Caroline” Mr J. Aitken.

A cafe scene was presented in the second half and songs were sung by .Mrs Freeman (“Here’s to Love and Laughter”), Air Quarric (“Happy Ohio”), Miss Upton (“Waiata Poi”), Air J. Aitken (“I want to go to Bye-bye”). Community singing of well-known songs concluding with the National Anthem, brought the entertainment to a dose. Encores were demanded in nearly all the items. The audience joined heartily’ in the community singing. The promoters desire to I hank the Foxton public for its support and a special word of praise tor Air Upton imd other helpers. It i- proposed to repeat the entertainment at Shannon at an early date.