OTAKI BAND ENTERTAINMENT.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 12 April 1920, Page 3

OTAKI BAND ENTERTAINMENT.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

There was a full house at the Otaki

Theatre cm Friday night— the occasion of the entertainment given in aid of funds fur the Otaki Brass Hand, which, it J- 1 hoped, will he organised immediately. The programme submitted — practically all local talent, and the greater part being given by Natives — was a capital one. the affair was well managed, and the large audience was a most appreciative one, though a few children and irresponsible* made things ■'lather unpleasant at limes by their noisiness. ' After the National Anthem Mr Henarc Tahiwi sung "When Love is Calling" in his well known excellent style. "Henare" is always a favourite, and lie responded to an insistent : encore with "The Emblem.'* A violin ' solo by the Rev. W. G. Slade, M.A. ("Tempo do Miiiueto) was a masterly item, well rendered, and keenly appreciated. Mr Slade was also encored. ' Miss Evelyne Jones' song. "Sink, Red Sun," was a most pleasing item, greatly enjoyed by all her hearers, who demanded her reappearance. Messrs Mooriey and Potter of Wellington, '- sang the favourite "Bells of St. to the evident enjoyment of .'the audience, this item also being enNsorcd. Miss Violet Lambert, who appeared in public for the Jirst time at Otaki. created a favourable impression 'with her singing of "Down in the : 'Forest." which was very nicely rcn- j ■ acred and much appreciated, the singer being forced to ret urn. -Miss Autu "lUtiku danced :i Highland fling, in cos- j J'fumo, in splendid style, followed by a j rung. "Shipmates o' Mine." by Mr Frank Penn. and the first half of tko ! ' programme concluded with a poi dance _ 'by a band of Maori maidens. The j graceful, rhythmical movements of the performers,'and the splendid staging of this item made it a most enjoyable one, and delighted all present. The effect I of the performance was heightened by the tuneful musical accompaniment by j '.several instrument-, and the chanting jDf a pleasing melody by the perform- | ' ers and others in the wings. Certainly j 'it was one of the prettiest pois seen j ' locally, and was a treat to witness. ■ ': Mr'Toby Mahiina was not quite up to hi* usual good form in "The Veteran's Son-." but did splendidly in his i encore item. "The Deathless Army," jvhile a vocal duet by Messrs Mahuua and H. Hakaraia, the old favourite was one of the best items Of the evening. Hakaraia possesses a Sweet falsetto tenor, which he used ex- I jeellentlv, while Makiuui's fine baritone f blended beautifully. The duet was 'sting unaccompanied, and was a rare ' musical treat. Mrs Jones gave one of ' her brilliant pianoforte solos, "Massa/s 'hi the Cold Ground." with her cus- ' tomarv da.h and precision, scoring an imperative encore. A recitation, entitled "Gunga Din." was capitally i fceeitcd by Mr Enoka Potae. a visiting j < JTative "possessed of elocutionary ' powers of no mean order, while Mr 'Potter's song. "Bubbles," was a great Success, and the singer had to reAppear. Mc-srs Henare and Pirimi Tahiwi sang that beautiful duet, '.'Watchman. What of the Night?" with good musical taste and excellent ■ harmony. Ir was a fitst-class item, well rendered, and the audience fully appre- ' fated and encored it. Mr Jacob Utiku ] Supplied the comic element in capital : Style, his song, "Hang Out the Front •' Door Key," "bringing down the • bouse." Jacob scored his usual double I .-encore, and even then the audience cried for more. -> Mrs 11. O. Jones and Miss Rikihana • tendered great assistance by acting jis accompanists. i Mr Frank Penn. who acted as director of eereraonics, in the unavoidable absence of Mr -T. I'. Brandon, thanked the performers for their assistance and the public patronage. He also apologised for the absence of the Hon. Dr. poraf-re. who had promised to give a brief address at the entertainment, bnt . was detained in Wellington by his public duties. ~ After a most successful and enjoyable entertainment the floor was dc-arcd and dancing indulged in for a few hours with great gusto.