OPENING OF THE WAKEFIELD CHORAL HALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIL, Issue 267, 10 November 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF THE WAKEFIELD CHORAL HALL.

Many of the visitors to Wakefield yesterday were agreeably surprised by the large and suitable building which bears the rather high sounding name of the Choral Hall, but which, with a spirit and enterprise that truly merit success, has been erected in Wakefield by a company, chiefly got up because such a building w»3 needed for the locality, rather than as a speculation. Wakefield has always been famous for the meetings and gatherings held there from an early date in the history of our part of the colony, but we were not expecting to sec anything so far developed in the bush as we saw last night in the Wakefield Choral Hall. It is true many friends came fiom town, but there was also considerable native talent displayed, and the way the audience mustered must have been most gratifying to the members of the embryo Choral Society and the directors. There was a tea held at 4 o'clock, which was fairly patronised, but at 7 the Hall was well filled— it will hold about 300 closely seated. It ia lofty, and is the largest and loftiest room in Nelson next to the Provincial Hall. The seats are plain but comfortable, and the room is evidently well adapted for sound. The conductor, Mr Price, is to be complimented on the success of his compauy, though the want of combined practice wasa little too marked. It would be ill-natured to criticise severely an effort of this kind, but our friends in the country will bear in mind that in proportion as they come before the public gaze, in that proportion must they expect criticism. Mr Augarda and the Misse3 Augarde rendered valuable help in the concert the former singing the 'Laurel Tree' with robust vigor and suitable cadences. The comic song detailed the uses of the hall in an impromptu. We could only catch two ideas, owing to the rapid utterance of the singer, one, that the hall would be used for social and amicable meetings of a very tender description, and, second, that if Messrs Moody and Sankey • came along ' and paid the secretary, they could have the Choral Hall ; in short, it was going to be open for all who would pay, and would be regarded as neutral ground. The ' Tickling ' trio was by no means a success. ' Here we rest ' evoked a pertinacious request for an encore, which was gratified. * Kiflemen form ' was given by a well known ex-member of the Nelson Harmonic, but it would be well for the singer to open his mouth more and give full force to the very excellent voice with which he is gifted, but which now it seems as if he were afraid of losing, or of having it taken away from him. 'God defend New Zealand' is rather a dreary dirge for a national song ; however, it will be ready if tlje Russians come. In the second part Mr Ladley rendered ' Holy friar' well. Mr and Miss Augarde's and Mr Drager's trio was much liked. Two songs by a gentleman whose name we did not catch were apparently approved of, as was also another comic one by Mr R. Wallace. The instrumental overture was good, but the rendering of the Hallelujah Chorus is not suited to brass instruments alone. A good duet by Messrs Ladley and Sigley brought up the rear, along with the appropriate strain of ' Home Sweet Home.' There should be more doors to the building, and also a road up to the railway, which might be reached with greater advantage by a small platform. Altogether the people of Wakefield are to be congratulated upon their enterprise in so quickly and self-reliantly raising so suitable a building.