PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 479, 10 November 1877, Page 2

PRINCE OF WALES' BIRTHDAY.

LAST SIGHT'S CONCERT

VOLUNTEEeI REVIEW. The Volunteers, with their band, mustering in all about 100 oflic-TS and men under the command of Major Steward paraded in the cricket ground at 5.30 yesterday morning. The weather was fine and settled, and give promise of an enjoyable day. After practising various lnautevres, and proving the companies. t!.e troops marc.led down to the railway station, whence a. train for Hampden was despatched at 9.30. What, witli Volunteers and excursionists, tlm was pretty well crowded ; however, after picking up the Otepopo men at Herbert, the destination was reached without any mishap. Here the whole force was made up by the addition of the Hampden company and the 241b. howitzer, which latter had arrived by an earlier train. No time was lost, and after an exam'nation of pouches, a move was made towards the Atiieiituum, where 50 rounds of blank ammunition was served outtooaeh man. After this, a suitable spot being chosen, the troops were formed up in open column, and marched past in quick time. The first essay at tiiis was not good, but the second showed a consideraDle improvement, and, had it not been for the bad saluting of the officers, would have been a success. " Left wheel into line " was t ! e m ,\t order, and although cxecnt.id with tolerable steadiness, all ideas of dis:anee bad evidently been lost by the captains. After passing by fours to the rear, wheelings into line again, and a few other evolutions, square was formed on the front company, the want of distance being again painfully noticeable. It being now 12 o'e'ock, a line formation was taken up, a fin <l<:joic was thrice given, the two first of which were not up to the mark, the third, however, being much better. A royal salute, three cheers for the Queen, and a like number for the Prince of Wales (all of which were heartily •oven), and the Review was over. The prepantions for the sham fight commenced by the artillery douldin , r oil' for the gun, while the cadets and the Hampden company were matched off to take up defensive po<?ii lons, the former in the hollows on the east side of the main road near the bridge, the latter in an enclosure further up, and on the opposite side. Presently tue artillery appeared with their gun, ami placed it close to the bridge, pointing towards tiie enemy, whose advanced, guard could now he seen skirmishing along from the northward. Te.is was soon engaged with the cadets, who showed a, g0.:.l knowled .re of fits style of lighting, aiwa-.s retiring under cover to load. Tae gun Mas also doing execution, being well served ami rapidly fired. Tee attacking force skirmishers now closed on their left, while another body, by making a detour, Hung themselves (in extended order) on the right re; vof the d> fending fore ■. This necessuakd the retreat of the gun, which was e!l\ cied in good order, ami it was placed in |>osi:iou to repulse this new attack": the Hampden Company at the same time opening a rapid, i hough ineffectual fire. Some of the gunners dished out and gallantly engaged tids Hoiking force, while the main attacking body, und.r M ijor Steward, cheering lustily, charged over the bridge, defeated the cadets, and Hampden was taken. Loaded rifles were fired off, and line being formed, the Major gave his orders thus: "Pours Right, to dinner ; Quick March." This will immortalise him in the eyes of all loyal—and hungry volunteers. The Athcnmum being reached, arms were piled, and the youngsters (very properly) inarched into dinner, the remainder following in about ha!f-an-hour. Tiie tables, which were handsomely provided by Mr. Shcrwin, were well patronised, and then a movement made to the railway, where a train picked those up who were going to the port. After a short stay there, the homeward start took plac •, and Oamaru was readied about, 7.30 p.m. To the unwearied exertions of Major Steward. Lieut, Mackenzie (acting adjutant), and Sergt.-M«j-.r Macphorson, are due in a great measure the success of the day, and the Major may be congratulated on' having planned a sham light, which, though simple, had at any rate a clearly defined purpose, a tiling not always kept, in mind. Of the troops, the artillery and the cadets appeared best, although the others did their work well. The following was the field state, in addition to that published in last night's issue : —Oti-u'opo Rtflks—2 subalterns, 1 sergeant, 11 m.n. Hami'Dkn- Rifles—l captain, 1 subaltern, 3 sergeants, IS men.

Notwithstanding the circumstance that nearly the whole if our population deserted the town yesterday (having departed by rail and steamer to witness the review anil to have a day's ouHi-g), ami that they did not return until a late hour, the Masonic Hall was moderately wdl filled Jasfc night. As a whole the entertainment may be said to have lien most successful, for, musically speaking, it lacked neither variety nor ability, and, so far as the organ fund is concerned considering the price charged for admission to the front s-ats, which were crowded —the result will, no doubt, prove satisfactory. It must have been a pleasure for those who took part in the - '»Stabat Mater" to have so appreciative an audience ; for if those present did not thoroughly enjoy themselves they seemed to do so, and when quietude was necessary in order to give the performers every opportunity of interpreting the intricate

passages in the " Stabat Mater," it was observed. T!ie performers c-insisted of members of the Philharmonic Society and a number of members of St. Luke's Choir, and what is very unusual on such occasions, there was a preponderance of la lies. T.iis rendered the treble and alto parts strong, and the bass part all the more painfully deficient. Tiiis is to be attributed to the paucity in number of the latter, who, considering this fact, did well. " Gol Bless the Prince of Wales" was very appropriately sung as an opening piece, and then followed the " Stabat Miter," which constituted the first part of the programme. Tuis composition is p culiar for its heavy bass passages, which, to be el!'-c f ively rendered, must have hrotig :t to bear upon them ample volume. This, of course, could not lie expected to be accomplished by three or four basses, the numb r on the platform last, night, and the n suit was the decided feebleness of a part teat it is as necessary to place in prominence as the treble itself. Fro'.n this cause the choruses sulfered most, The first chorus was, nevertheless, courageously attempted, and moderate success was the result, who have heard " Cnjns Animam" performed by the first talent in the Old Country would be able to thoroughly appreciate Mr. Joseph Booth's singing of that most perfect and difficult song. It is a generaPy acknowledged fact that even a slight previous knowledge of a musical composition lends an additional charm to a performance, even although that knowledge may have ben acquired from hearing the ell'orts of a great artist, and one is compelled to compare 'with the dear memories of a dehghtfnl few moments spent long ago tiie singing of an amateur at the Anlipodi s. Mr. Booth pleasantly awakened old recollections within us last night, and we doubt not that many others of the audience were similarly affected. This gentleman possesses one of those flexible voices comprising a range from bass to high tenor, in which the transition between the voices are quite imperceptible. " Cnjns Animam "is decidedly well suited to Mr. Booth's voice and style, mainly because both are sympat ictie. Of all tiie difficulties of the

" Stabat Mater," Unto is nut another to compare with timsi' I<> In; encountered in tin.! performance of " (Jnis est Homo." Not only is tlu! range high, I»nt. tin: subject is intricate, and ti.t- neeissity for tinperformers keeping well together in the running pa*sagcr, is most urgent. Mrs. Clowes and Mrs. Brunton, who were tinperformers, wciv, liowev-T, <pute equal to tr.e task. Mr. DmL'l Bo ith stug " Pm PivaPis'' capitally, especially win n it is considered that he kindly cuii' forward at t.!n- last nioiii -nt to take tin: place of Mr. E. Booth, njio'.i whom was to have devolved ;.u; /•..;.',: of principal bass. " Pia Mater," in which Mr. 1 b.ldsworth took the. bass solo, not only w til correct intonation, I,nt in good tunc ami volume. i. ss d oil' mod.rat.My well. " Saueta Mater " fo'loivi d. Tan perform-tk wci'' Mrs. Brunton, M.i.ss Honour. Mr. J. Uoorh, ami Mr. D. Booth. With the exception of v ry slight inaccuracies heiv ami there, t!: i -s piece, abounding in crude harmonies (is indeed most, of the work does), was Weil JIII orpivti d. We consider that this pel formauca was one of the Inst of the evening. Mrs. Brunt m's singing In iiiLT pa; ;ieulai ly noticeable for i:s exc lle:ieo. MPs II irly uudertook the Joii'd.th.l solo, •' F.ic ofc Poriem," in doing which that young lady not only disphiyc d a pure voice, hut a capital idea of singing clas.-iea! music, which would, with care, produce more than ordinary r< suits. T: e gem of the conceited music in the whole work was the "lullimlnatus," principally because it ail'orded Mrs. Clowes an admirable opportunity of displaying her extraordinary powii's of execution, ami high musical culmre. We. have heard t'"' bist talent, that has visited tae colonics esfay to sing this grand composition, but never have wo been ail'orded such genuine satisfaction as that produced by Mrs. Clowes' singing last night. Wo may indeed consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate in the possession of vocalists without whom such great works would prove a dead letter. The extreme caution with which the vocal accompaniment was sustained throughout did infinite credit to those who took part in it. The lovely melodious suhj et could be heard, with every mark of expression, soaring above tlu; exquisite harmonies. " Quaiido Corpus," by Mrs. Clones. Miss Honour, Mr. J. Booth, and Mr. Holdsworth, and a portion of the " Amen Chorus," completed the "Stabat Mater." The second part coii.-isted of an excellent selection of miscellaneous vocal and instrumental music. It opened by the singing of "Hark, the Irii k" a wry lively chorus in which the performers seemed well versed. The harcirolle " Oil VoulcZYotis A Her .'" sung by Mr. Grant, with a llowing violin obbligato, is the stylo of sotig tnat calls forth universal appreciation, and. with the exception of the eli'cts of apparent nervousness, Mr. Grant did it justice. M'ss Gilford's pleasing little song, " To the Woods," with its llippaut waltz time, wry deservedly called forth an enc u'e. Mr. Jones' violin solo airs from " II Trovatore," with variations, was successful in so far as it was a popular sii'j ct ; but wo have heard Mr. Joins play better. Miss Honour's song, "The Blind Giil to In r Hup," was plaintiv ly sung with evident natural taste and ability. The snree ding chorus. Bishop's ever-welcome " Now Tramp," went with gu.-ito - everyone singing it with a heartiness that proved that it was an old favorite. " The Highland Bride," by Miss Heeiiey, brought to light a pretty voice of moderate power. Then followed the duet by Mrs. Williams and Miss Gilford, which was so well sung that it k-ft an impression that it must have been subjected to ample rehearsal. Salaniaii's "I arise from Dreams uf Thee/' is a choice

vocal composition, mid Mr. J. Boi lii's voice being peculiarly adapted for its perform- I anee, it was beautifully sung ami well re- J o-ived. ]\[rs. Bnintoii's sony, Florentina," with Italian words, is an ' uncommonly beautiful song, ami tlio • ; singer seemed to bo perfectly acquainted with tho manner in which it should ho sung. The next pi'ce was, as is invari- s ably the case when Mrs. Newsham plays, i one of the greatest musical treats of the evening. For difficulty, everybody who I is acquainted with the fantasia on selee- f tions from " Mose' in Egitto," will know that it is unsurpassable ; but it was i handled by Mrs. Newsham as though a I simple e.\i reise. every note of the subject I out boldly, whilst the elogint accompaniment spoke volumes for tho execution of the pianiste. "The noman's Wedding," by Mr. Daniel Booth, so ]>leased the audience as to secure for that gentleman an riienrr. "The llmiquetiere" (by M.rs. Williams), is a simple little song, and was sum; in the natural manner so necessary to its correct formance. Mrs. Williams responded t(>«| a well-merited encore. "The t>ipsy ■ Chorus," from " Preeiosa," was <piite as I well sung as were those preceding, and ■ this is saying a great deal. To Mrs. ■ Newsham is due the credit of having ■ given another of the most satisfactory performances that we have heard in tho Colony. Of course, the concert of last night diil not compare in point of excellence with the late classical concert ; but it was very much superior of its class to many we have heard in popular centres. It ia surprising the amount of vocal talent Oamaru possesses, and Mrs. Newsham has been the chief instrument; in bringing some of it fo"ward, and developing it. Wo were delighted with the manner in which Mrs. Newsham played the accompaniments to the "St aha t, Mater." In the double capaeily of directress and accompanist, that lady aided eminently the vocalists by preventing and .smothering many little defects.

THE WAITAKI'S TIIFI 1 TO IWOUKAKI. The n.s. W.iiliiUi, with abnnt 200 vxcursiimisls on board, Ml. Ili<: lhvii.lv water fur Port. Moeraki yesterday shortly alter 1 o'cl.ick. Although the weather wm and not. a few retreated down below, the majority appeared In thoroughly enjoy themselves, and on arrival at tlu'ir destination i>ic-iiics were nuniirally tlit* order of the day, iln* usually picturesque appi-araiuv.! of t,ln> l\>rt, heightened liy (Tnwds of Maoris wlki eanie in from the adjae.''iit Kaik. I'lio steamer Ml, al 1, tin: same lime as the train, hut ariived nearly half-an-hoiii'