CONCERT AT DUNTROON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 932, 12 April 1879, Page 2

CONCERT AT DUNTROON.

[from our own correspondent.] Tlie tea-meeting, concert, and ball at Duntroon, in aid of the School Fund, came off on Wednesday evening, at the schoolroom, and, as was anticipated, proved a great success. The tea-meeting was under the control of Mesdames Snow and Smith, each of whom had a table, and these ladies certainly deserve the greatest credit for the splendid manner in which they had prepared them. They were ably assisted by some of the youth and beauty of the township. The tables were laid out in a very tempting and inviting way, and there was everything that the most fastidious could desire. Everybody was delighted, and it was a pleasure to look on the happy, smiling faces around the tables. After tea was over, and the tables cleared away, the room was got in readiness for the concert, | which commenced shortly before eight. The school was filled to overflowing. Mr. E. 0. Smith, having taken the chair, delivered a short, pithy speech, commenting on the manifold advantages of having a school in the township, and expressing a hope that this would only be the precursor of many more entertainments, which would afford amusement to inhabitants, and be the means of materially assisting the school in a pecuniary light. ■ He then proceeded to read a short prologue (composed by Mr. Henry Smith, of this town), which was received with great applause. Miss Snow having played an overture on the pianoforte in a most pleasing style, the Chairman called on Messrs. Snow and Raven for the favorite old duet "All's well." Those gentlemen acquitted _ themselves very creditably indeed, considering the ! very short practice they had. The next item was a song, " Never miss the water till the well runs dry," was capitally sung by Mr. Woonton, and in response to an encore, he sang " Pull down the blind." "Sweet spirit hear my prayer" was rendered very sweetly by Mrs. Chandler, who, by the way, appeared rather nervous at first. Mr. Harris then gave his favorite " Down the river" in a rather humorous manner, and only escaped an encore by the audience being informed that the only other song he knew had 112 verses. The quarrel scene from Julius Caesar, by Messrs. Raven and Sunley, was the next item, and these gentlemen were much applauded for the manner in which they acquitted themselves. Mrs. Horner then sang " The Bridget in a most charming manner. " UncitH3am," a Yankee song, by Mr. Meeting, which caused a great deal of amusement, brought the first part of the concert to a conclusion. After the., interval Mr. R. Weaver gave his concertina solo, "The last rose of summer," in a most delightful manner, and afterwards gave as an encore the song "Paddy Malone," which was much enjoyed. " Why Mickey Free's father left the army," a reading by Mr. Adbert, was delivered by that gentleman, and greatly amused the audience. " The little brown jug " was very well sung by Mr. S. Smart, and received a well-merited encore, to which he responded with " Anything but that George." Mr.- Sunley then read "Mrs Caudle's umbrella lecture," and, judging from the repeated bursts of laughter, the audience appreciated it hugely. Mr. Carling's song "Erin, my country " was very well sung and received.

Mr. Snow, in response to an encore t his song, gave "A little more cid P r» which was much relished. A little bnl\ song by Mrs. Chandler was the next a j the audience would not be silent until th lady sang again, which she did a „l gave one of Miss Maggie Moore's favoriS. " His fader keeps the brewery," 1 rendition being very pleasing, ''"tl 1 little vulgar boy" wa3 then well reciteH by Mr. Sunley. The last item was " -pi white squall," by Mr. Collins, which ff j!! received very well, and that gentle m »J, had to respond with an encore, jjjr Chairman then made a short speech thanking the audience for the kind manner in which they listened to the concert and announced that the school would- open on Monday next. He then proceeded to introduce the new master, Mr Meekino to them. After a few humourous remarks the audience dispersed, well satisfied with their evening's entertainment. Q re ,.i praise is due to Miss Snow, for the able manner in which she presided at the piano The school was then cleared for the ball, And when Music arose, with its voluptuous swell, Soft eyes looked love to those which spake again, And all went merry as a marriage bell. The ball did not terminate until Night's candles were burned out, and jocund day Stood, tip-toe, on the misty mountains'tops,