PARAPARAUMU.

Otaki Mail, 7 November 1923, Page 3

PAR APARAUMU.

Ratepayers’ Er.tsriwnment. The Coronation Hall was taxed to its utmost capacity last Saturudy night by an enthusiastic audience, the occasion being the entertainment' organised by t . ]ie Association to raise funds to provide scats, swings and other appliances f or thu children. It is the intention of il ic . Association to erect these at the beach and in the domain. . The first monies arc to be spent in providing amusements for the children and the amount taken on Saturday will be utilised in erecting swings and sliutes. !\ partv of 12 of Wellington’s leading artists’journeyed to Paraparaumu to assist the Association and provide a programme that was in every way equal to a professional standard. The programme n its opened by an overture , from -Mendelsohn, played by .Miss (.Tin- j <. c ,r. Miss Easu’s splendid contralto i voice was heard to perfection in “Kathleen Muvoureen ” for which | f he was recalled. Rarely has a Para- , paraunm had the pleasure of i listening h**uch a furnished artist as jfr. Barton Ginger. With true historic, ability his rendering of dramatic re- I citals". including “Wedding Day j Speeches,” entirely captured the audi- ; ) :'£■?. who apparently could not hear ! '.enough of him, that ’is judging by the i vigorous hand-clapping and apphuic. that followed each item. Another artist ,vho no doubt will be heard of in the I musical world was IMiss E. Rees, whose rendering of “Ora Pro Nobis” was much enjoyed. Miss Snell’s musical monologue was another item that gave much pleasure. Mr. S. Boock’s fine, j baritone voice was heard to advantage i ill “The Ragman” and other popular itnts. The star turn of the evening was urovided by Messrs Chalk and Howard. These versatile comedians held the large audience at each appearance, whether in comic song or farce, and were recalled time and again for. comic songs and dancing. In the farce “Buy a Motor Car” a very riot of fun, the audience was convulsed with laughter. These artists are an entertainment in , themselves. Other members of the . company who pleased the house by the I delightful rendering of tlieir items were Miss G. Rees in ‘-‘-Making Kcw Friends.” Mr. Philpotts with some, clever sketches and Mr. Davies’ song “Batchelor Gay.” The finale by the companv in popular airs brought to n dose what is claimed as the most successful entertainment held in Pnraparaumu and the residents are looking forward for a return visit from the clever combination. Mr. Reeves, vice-presi-dent of the Association, warmly thanked the members of the company for thenkindness in coming so far to assist the Association and for the most enjoyable entertainment that they had given. Three hearty cheers were given for the performers.

Rifle Club. i' v The local rifle club held a successful | M the ranges last Saturday. A pleasing feature of the afternoon was the improvement shown by the younger members. It is safe to say that if the Government gave the rifle club more support that this part of our pastime would become more popular than it is at present. With the affairs of tnc i older countries being in such a chaotic 1 state,) and ;the iquJlsflionaHle support 7 that the mother country could give us it behoves us to make ourselves military fit. Although wo deplore war with its’attendant horrors, its expenditure of human beings and its stagnation aftermath, yet it would be almost criminal to close our eyes to the fact that in the case of an invasion the only ones that could be rolled upon at the moment for any defence, would be the rifle clubs. We are first and to the exclusion of all things else Imperialist vet we cannot close our eyes to the existing facts that England in 191 > aimed at a 4-power naval standaid, whereas to-day it is questionable it she is up to a one power standard. This docs not say that England o c ' not just as great a power ov<?r, but “he has learnt her lesson of the Ctieat ~,i ; s no doubt, concentrating (.ij orwrgies to the air and the laborjr,«o whence her danger of mvasii With her depleted .n*yy. \ev- -/(■;. la art could not look tor the ie .“—aw naval support from the old w -,r' To-day a parallel with t.ic .vmTtioas of defence at Home and 7.,..n,r, r i ,t OC s not exist, the dangei , . v.„ nmc k from ill our case does not be air and the la bora ties 11 from cii invasion anil it is here’ tun. cur protection would be from an army of men trained and efficient m arm.. \ r o doubt, when the Prune Munster returns the rifle clubs will receive thenmeasure of support.