MR. RAINFORD’S BENEFIT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4430, 1 June 1875, Page 2

MR. RAINFORD’S BENEFIT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sib,— Allow me through the medium of- your valuable paper to express my deep feeling of annoyance and shame at the laxity of interest, displayed by the musical portion of the 'Wellington community, exhibited on Saturday night last, on the occasion of a so-called benefit concert for the well-known and popular basso Mr. Eainford, late of Allen’s English Opera Company. lam fully alive to the tact that amateurs find it very difficult to draw up an attractive programme without the assistance of ladies’ voices to vary and lighten the entertainment, but still I think Mr. Rainford's fine voice and finished singing ought, in so large a town as Wellington, to command in itself a large and appreciative audience, to say nothing of the obligation we lovers of good music are placed under for his so largely contributing to our nightly enjoyment of the opera during the company’s late visit here. Again, Mr. Eaiuford has still another claim upon us—that of sympathy with him tor his late protracted illness. He has been induced to pay us a visit by a few friends and musical amateurs, under the representation that he would meet with our most hearty and liberal support. Don't let us send him away with emptier pockets than, he came to us with. The tender care of his medical adviser, I have not the slightest doubt, has already done that for him. I can assure you, as one contributing my little share to the programme, that we don’t presume to ask our friends to come to enjoy or admire our attempts at singing, but to support us in our endeavors (which are in no way slight) to do a kindness, and I do not think any of us will ever be losers by exercising this our grandest virtue. Hoping our next attempt will meet a ready and warm response —I am, Sc., Hugh Atlin.

[We may say, that an effort, in which a number of citizens are taking a warm interest, is being made to give Mr. Rainford a substantial recognition of his merits.— Ed. N.Z. Times.]