MANAKAU.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 August 1919, Page 2

MANAKAU.

| . J TENNIS CONCERT AND DANCE. A SPLENDID FUNCTION. On Friday night last a grand concert and dance were held at the Manakuu Town Hall, in aid of the fund for improvements to the Manakau Tennis .Club. The ntglit was fine, but exeep-. tionally cold, and thanks to the fact that, the function lmd been well advertised, and to the enthusiasm instilled iuto the management, there was a very largo attendance, including visitors from various parts of the district. Thu concert programme was one of the finest ever submitted to a Manakau audience, including items by loading talent of Manakau, Levin and Otaki, and many flattering remarks were passed on the ladies responsible, who must have spared no efforts in preparation of such a really excellent bill oC fare—Mrs Les. Atkins and Miss Robinson. The only fault with the programme was its great length, it being 11 p.m. before the last item was given. Much trouble had been taken by Mrs Les. Atkins and Miss Ruby Bevnil iu the artistic arrangement of the stage, which the stage manager (Air .1. Howard Andrew) filled the position admirably and kept thing going spiritedly. The. first item of the programme was a tableau, “Rule Britannia.” This was a splendid opening. The various representation's of the Allies were .till capital, the costuming effective, ami the grouping and general arrangement admirable. Much credit is due to Mrs i Mickle for the arrangement of this item. The accompanying song was sung by Mr Howard 'Andrew. Mr Mottersliead was in excellent form, his ben lit i- ’ ful tenor voice being heard to advantage in “Believe Me if all Those Endearing Charms,” and as an encore he sang vary sweetly indeed “Bonny Mary of Argyle.” One of the best | items of a capital programme was the performance of a band of pierrotts, ’ neatly costumed, who sang “The Lind of 1 Dunha Where.” The children did really splendidly, tlieir singing and acting reflecting great; credit on Mrs Les. Atkins and Miss Bevan, who took very great pains in training them. Tho audience was delighted, and demanded an encore. Mrs It. H. Billuns, .the possessor of a contralto voice of good rich quality, had a good reception with her item. “My Life to Thee.” Later on Mrs Billons and Mr Mottershoad gave | the favourite vocal duet, “Nocturne,” | delightfully—a very item m f deed. Mrs F. M. Smith, a recent musi|cal acquisition at Manakau, contributed a cleverly executed pianoforte solo, g “Danse des Sees” (Jacll), and had to rc-appcar. Mr D. W. Mathcson*n song, “Tho Sunshine of Your Smile,” was much appreciated, || and as an encore Mr Mathcson sang “There’s a Land.” His humorous song, “Archibald,” created much merriment. and was loudly encored. Miss | Kilsbv, who is heard too seldom, scoreda great success with that pretty song, “The Lilac Cotton Bonnet,” sung sweetly and artistically. The audience demanded more, and Mias Kil-by responded with “ distillation. ” Laic: on this lady again delighted the audience with “Get Up!” Rev, W. 0. Slade, of Otaki, scored a success with his violin solo, “Souvenir” '{Franz Brdln), giving J. Harold Henry’s “Bolero” as an encore. Mr Slade’* .. . bowing was very correct, and he put much.feeling into his items, which were greatly enjoyed. A further item by Mr V Slade, “Tempo do Meuueto” (Fug- ; nani-Krcislcr) was a particularly Aright, brilliantly-executed piece. A Maori song by Mr S.*J. Gilbert, entitled “Are To MU Ra,” was capitally sung. _ and took well with the audience, wh* joined in the stirring chorus. Mr Gilbert has a nice baritone voice. A vocal - duet by the Misses Tc Kiwi, entitled “Sing o Me,” was a very pleasing item, which drew a well-earned encore. _ Mr A. Pringle, after a. long absence from Manakau, sang “An Old-fashioned Town,” proving as great a favourite as ever, lie had to. capond with “IT , j Sing Thee Songs of Araby,” in vrhiti ; he did ever: better. In the second ; -rt of the programme, Mr Pringle sang, by special request “Somewhere a Voice • Calling” with most pleasing effect -v Mr Ferry’s exhibition of his exceptional veritriloquiul powers proved * thoroughly enjoyable item. Mr Ft rtj is a past master at the art, and hi*local, jokes were clever, bright and rrtertaimng. Another capital item w*» rj a variety turn given by Mr Scott, of Levin, who proved an adept conjurerHi* “turn” comprised n. variety d j‘|i items, concluding with a clever dan«* t -W; A word of praise is due to the »cco3 panists. Mesdainca Andrew and Smitiarid Misses Myra Bevan and N. Kil-itJ- E Or: the motion of Mr Andrew the per |j former* vveie heartily thanked for thesf g;: assistance, Mr MathemOU res'iOnditig. pi A splendid supper was handed roawt K’.. and the flre»r was then cleared /* fgltidaccing, in which a very large numh* participated, to exeellc-ct mtwtc. vided by Mr.-, Mik-s, Extra*, were xf? j, plied by Mrs and Mis* Evans Misses Myra Bevan and Tc Hi*i The whole, function was certainly c® 4 IggS; of th.i rnc-t successful ever held ** Msnat.au, and ail responsitde for tie management are deserving of hearty @ longratufatiom*.