BLACKSTONE HILL.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 343, 1 October 1875, Page 3

BLACKSTONE HILL.

(From a correspondent.) September 22nd. JTho concert in aid of trie District Hospital, held under the patronage of the Good Templar Lodge of this place, came off last Tinted ay night. There was a thronged gathering of folks of the vicinity—Naseby, and St. Bathans people mustered too, in goodly force. The worthy warden, H. W. liobinson, who is also President of the Hospital, took the chair at the entertainment. Ho briefly introduced the business of "the evening, ' and then the performances were initiated by a concerted piece of music being played on the flute and harmonium by Mr. Hartman (flute) aud Master W. Collett, both of Naseby. It was scientifically rendered, and evoked general applause. Mr. E. Johnston now made his debut in the vocalist line. " My Nannie's Awn,'" was the song selected. Mr. Johnstone is so well known, and his vocal powers so generally esteemed, that comment of mine is needless, suffice it to tell that his well won reputation was in no wise diminished by his latest carolling. Mr. G. Collett, junr., next appeared, and recited " I miss thee, my mother." This young gentleman, who by the way is another or the Naseby visitors, combines with elocutionary powers of no inconsiderable. merit appropriateness of gesture and a graceful carriage : these made his recitation of the poem a great success, which the audience testified to by continuous acclamation. Mr. M. Wade followed- with the song of " The Angel's Whisper;" Lover's popular and pathetic ballad found an appreciative expositor, and was well acknowledged". Master W. Collett returned to the harmonium and played a pleasing solo with style and ' precision. Mrs. Turnbull sang "By the Sad Sea Waves" with much sweetness and expression, eliciting the enthusiasm of all present. Once more Mr. Hartman made his bow in a recitation " The Child of Song," and to use a stock phrase, completely drew down the house. Mr. Samuel Inder came before the audienco in duo order. His song "The Brave old Oak " was enthusiastically received, and it is not too much to say that his singing richly merited the praise it drew forth. About this stage of the amusement, Mr. liobinson apologised for the absence of Mr. Grumitt, who was unavoidably prevented from attending. Mr. Leader's " Ring the Bell Watchman " pealed out most melodiously. This good old song, given in good style, may be ranked amongst the best of those of the performance. " The Sailor's Grave " by

Mr. Chas. Towne, a plaintive dirge, was feelingly delivered, and reflected much credit on tlie singer. Mr. W. "Wade read " After the Honeymoon," a humorous sketch, with much comicality, bringing out the funny parts in such full relief that the risible muscles were kept constantly in motion throughout his task. Mr. Armitage sung "Polly Perkins" with great animation, and acquitted himself famously. Mr. G. Collett junr., sung the " Death of Nelson" very efficiently, and received the usual marks of approval. A duet (flute and harmonium), eapitally executed by Mr. Hartman and Master Collett, terminated tho first part of the programme. I was about to say that after the interval the curtain rose to an overture, but, as there was no curtain, £hp overture itself rose the feelings of the hearers, and the discoursing of eloquent music by flute and harmonium kept them up to concert pitch till the Sounds of linked sweetness melted away The silence was broken by Mr. M'Cluskey reciting a poem. The subject treats of some portion of Spanish history, but whether it was the tale of the Cid, or a legend of the equally renowned but much moro inimitable Knight of La Mancha, 2 really could not tell ; however, Mr. M'Cluskey's elocution had a potent effect on his auditors, for, at its conclusion, he was heartily and deservedly thanked. Again a duet, young Collett and Hartman, and again a furore of applause. Mr. Towne trolled out the " Maids of Merry ißngldnd" with fair effect. Mr. W. Wade followed up by a reading, fully justifying his previous effort "The Slave Ship,' by Mr. S. Inder, succeeded. This is a most difficult song, but the difficulty disappeared before the skill, talent, and determination of the vocalist, who harmoniously and brilliantly rendered an arduous and trying piece of music. Mrs. Turnbull warbled "Cush la Machree" with considerable taste and feeling, Mr. E. Johnstone sung something about " Brown's Sister," or his (Brown's) wife's sister, or a deceased wife's sister, I don't know which cf the lot; but, if it should be the latter, the member for Oamaru will not have held forth in vain; for evidently marriage one way or the other was contemplated by the hero of the ditty. It was a success. Mr. Shannon, aNaseby gentleman, introduced by Mr. Johnstone, sung a song which I think may be named a " Tick"(ling) Shave " or " Pat and tho Barber." Paddy however got morej than he bargained for, and seemed to have had quite enough of a gratuitous scrape with the " Devil's own razor." This was a gem in the comic strain, and could not havo been more cleverly dealt with. It created a downright fit of laughter, irrepressible and side splitting, which eventuated in an encore, responded to by Mr. Shannon singing " The White Squall." This gentleman's services were quite an acquisition, and his desires to amuse are worthily deserving of praise. Last but not least comes Miss Turner. This young lady is getting to be quite a favorite, and lier recitations " The Battle of Minden" (Campbell), and tho "Dying Soldier," entitle her to rank highly as a graceful and easy declaimer. She has much self possession, acd feels quite at home and at one with her subjects. Her judgment and taste are much above the average. " Captain Jinks of the horse Marines," was very well sung by Mr. G. Collett junr. It is of the serio-comic style, and he was quite equal to the occasion—pathos or merriment being equally his forte. In pointing attention to his ability it is only fair to add thereto that all the gentlemen who kindly came to assist on behalf of so necessary an institution as an Hospital, deserved the thanks which were heartily bestowed on them ; not only for their own interested goodness, but also for their really talented display. This ended the concert part of the amusement. The Warden now rose and said that, on behalf of the Hospital Committee, he thanked everyone instrumental in bringing funds to an impecunious treasury; all promptly responded to the call made on their benevolence when, as at present, the occasion required it. He expatiated upon the benefit accruing from such a place as that was for the relief of suffering humanity) and showed that the pecuniary difficulties hanging over the building were incurred by the erection of a new ward for infectious diseases. At one time he thought the difficulties to be overcome were so great, that he had nearly contemplated the closing up of the establishment, and he need not assure them the possibility of such an eventuality was to him, as president, a source of intense pain. These troubles were now seemingly in a fair way of being tided over, thanks to their many friends in the neighborhood, and it was fully evident to him that their hearts were in the right place, and that their charity could surely be relied on when the interests of the suffering were in danger of being jeopardised. He again congratulated the Committee and himself in having such generous allies as the public of the district,- and he'felt quite certain it only required to be generally known that their Hospital was in pecuniary danger to cause every one to come forward and lend a helping hand in the time of distress. He concluded an eloquent and impressive speech by thanking all present for their attendance. On the proposal of Mr. W. Wade a vote of thanks was enthusiastically accorded Mr. Eobinson for his efficient service as Chairman. The inevitable dance was now called for, and tho floor cleared for action. You may be sure, that that there was . : Jfo Jgest 'till morn, Where, youth and pleasure meet To chase- the glowing hours with flying feet. Anyhow, suoh seemed to be the case in this particular instance, as they kept at it till the rising moon glourea o'er the towering Ho,wkaun mountains, and I need, not remark that that was long after " the witching hour of night." I am knocked so completely into a cocked hat by the pros and cons of the Abolition Bill that my politics like my prospects are much unsettled so I shall not do the oracular in that line till I have recovered my equilibrium. I think though I am not alone in this respect as the rest of the community seem to be in a similar fix.

Referring to "an old Greymouth res-i ident, who is also the most remarkable' man in the country through having: been nursed by the great Dan O'Connell,' and kissed by that same Pride of Kerry hundreds of times," a contributor ("Autolycus") to the local ' Star * writes':— " I always imagined the Liberator was a man of taste as well of talent, but if he kissed big boys in Ireland, where pretty girls abound, then the great Dan is not the man I imagined him."