HARMONIC HALL.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1036, 18 May 1883, Page 3

HARMONIC HALL.

- The attendance at the Harmonic Hall last evening was not so large as was expected. The entertainment provided was above the average, and considering that the proceeds were in aid of the Caledonian Society, whose sports are the only out door public amusement we can •boast of, it was thought that the public avould respond liberally. We venture to think that the prices exercised rather a deterrent effect, and had the back seats been fixed at the proverbial shilling we liave little doubt that the promoters of the entertainment would have had more reason to be satisfied. The Patea Band opened proceedings with an overture, which beyond a little unsteadiness was well rendered. They also contributed another selection daring the evening very nicely indeed, their playing giving evidence of continued progress. 11 Will you meet me at twilight ” was sung by a gentleman who has a nice tenor voice capable of great improvement if cultivated. “ Dreaming of home ” was very well rendered, while “Beautiful dreams’' was done ample justice to by the gentleman who gave it. The “ Old. Inn .Sign ” was favourably received by the audience, and the gentleman who rendered “ Silver moonlight winds are-blowing ” gained considerable applause for his finished style. The comic element was well sustained by Bones and Tambo, who in - addition to a score of jokes, good, bad,., and indifferent, gave four songs .which were unmistakeably appreciated by the audience. The first part of the programme was concluded by a. walk round, and, after an interval of ten minutes, the second part, consisting of vocal and iudruinental music, was proceeded with. Without , particularising, we can say that each vocalist acquitted .himself creditably, and , fairly earned what applause was accorded by the audience, which was not an.enthusiastic one.. Two little girls played a duct on the piano very tastefully,, and gave evidence of talent and careful tuition. The violin solo showed an improvement .on previous performances, and the duet by clarionets was loudly applauded. The exhibition given by ?■ gentleman with Indian clubs was clever and graceful, and . well worth seeing. Altogether.tho enter- _ -tainmont. was successful, and we. are led to think that a very good minstrel troupe might be formed in Patea. The material is here, and systematic practice would soon produce a state of perfection which would attract an’audlence whenever the troupe appeared in' public. The want of such practice vvas ; sho\vn in the choruses which were rather mixed at times. “ Agony ” was announced to comrnenea at 8 o’clock, but it was half-past eight before it began, and the audience were remarkably patient under the circumstances. We had almost omiited'to mention that the vocalists were tastefully accompanied on the piano by Mr Hamerton junr., assistance being given in one case by the little daughter’of one of the singers. The conundrum competition brought forth.a.budget of .wit, tsoine'of the'conun-drums-being .really clever. About a dozen were picked out and read to the audience, who appeared to enjoy the local allusions immensely. It was decided that those forwarded by Mr R. Jacomb were entitled to the prize, but there were others almost, if not quite, as good. A verse of.the National Anthem having been sung, tlie audience dispersed. For the edification of our readers we give a few of the conundrums submitted last night:— Why is Lincoln street like the Pacific Ocean ? Because it has t lie Bank of New Zealand on one side, and the Bank of Australasia on (be other. Why is the climate of Patea the strangest in New Zealand ? Because it’s Bright and Black at one end of the town, and always Fair-weather at the other.' Why is the Patea school like Noah’s Ark ? Because there’s a “ Flood ” about it, and it will soon go away. The above, with one we have omitted, gained the prize. Some others were as follow: — - Why are the Patea blacksmith’s miserable ? Because one is always “ Hunger ing, and the other. “ Donaghue” [don(t) know who] to trust. Whyare Mace and Odgers like a Taranaki merchant short of cash ? Because they could not meet their “ Bill ” at New Plymouth. Why is the largest wool and grain store like a dog kennel? Because is always a “ Barker ” there. How will the pupils of the Assistant Master of .the Patea School be punished after Mf Flood’s departure ? By being sent to “ Coventry.” ‘ ; . What is the difference between the Patea streets and; our local cobbler ? The Borough roads break shoes, and Jemmy “ Rhodes ” makes shoes. Which is the best bank in Patea to do ' business with ?. The- Bank of Ne\y : South Wales ; because interest is “ Rose,” “Tennent ” is not “ Smart,” nor have }’ou a “ Harden ’’ (hard ? un) to deal with, and you’ll find “ Norman .” as hard as “ Steel.”