PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 246, 16 September 1940, Page 8

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

The Palmerston North Commercial Travellers’ Association's patriotic concert. presented to a largo and' enthusiastic audience at the Opera House oil Saturday night, was an outstanding success. The varied programme presented was a tribute to the organisers of the concert and the many artists. At a suitable juncture, the Mayor (Mr A. JO. Manstord), as chairman ot tre Patriotic Committee, thanked the commercial travellers for their magnificent effort. He paid a tribute to tlie work of the Commercial Travellers’ Association and in doing so stated that this was not the first time the association had assisted in a worthy cause. Mr P. Aekins, chairman of the Commercial Travellers’ Association, extended thanks to all those who had helped the association m its effort. The programme opened with tlie orchestra, under the baton of Mr J. Wingate, playing a selection, after which vocal items were contributed by the Huia Straight Eight, these bringing rounds of applause. Tlie singers were Messrs A. McKegg, A. V. Pizzey, J Pizzev, W. J. Robertson, A Stableford, S. B. Reed 1. Rickard and T: P. Hart, while Messrs Melvegg and Robertson provided many humorous antics in keeping with tlie songs. Visiting vocalists .who contributed items were Mrs N. C. Holland, Mr.D. Lunuey, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force station at Woraroa, and Mr A. Christian (Stan Holloway’s double), of Wellington. A very popular item was one contributed hv Mr J. Pizzey who cleverly impersonated George Formbv, the well-known screen personality. Mr C- Bell, of Wellington, and formerly of Palmerston North, also contributed ’ some popular items with his xylophone. Miss M. Penketh was in splendid voice and delighted the audience. The farce Entitled “Anybody” kept humour at a high pitch. The cast included Messrs McKegg, Robertson, W. Olliver, A. V. Pizzey, Stableford, Rickard, and Reed. The scene was h village inn in England and the story was based on a supposed murder. A clever item was presented by. Mr V. Simpson and his dog “Nick.” A prominent feature of the programme was the drawing of the commercial travellers’ art union. This took the form of a colourful tableau in which pupils of Miss June Scott and members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in uniform assisted. Mr J. Forsythe (treasurer) mentioned that the art union had realised approximately £1173, while the association’s appeal to date had realised something like £4OOO. The members of the orchestra were Airs Barlow. Mrs Fisher, .Messrs S. Gough, AY: Inkpen, L. Smith, J. Brophv, W. Barnett. E. Low, AY. Leet, T,. Pascoe, T. Piper, A. Lester, R. AVood, and B. Craig. The Mayor announced that the travellers had handed him their cheque for £IOOO as their contribution to the Spitfire Fund.