Belgian Fund Concert.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 249, 20 November 1914, Page 1

Belgian Fund Concert.

The concert arranged by Mrs C. A. Vaughan and Mr B. Webtter t% assist tbe Belgian Relief Fund, which took place in the Waiuku Ball last Friday, was a huge success. The programme throughout was of a patriotic order, and was followed witb close interest by a crowded audience. Some pretty stage drapings were used in connection with the character songs and marches by about forty daintly dressed children, and all these items met with very decisive encores. Indeed there were very few items on the programme not encored, and Bume patriotic choruses were taken up by the audience with enthusiasm. A character song by children of "Please Give Me a Penny, .Sir," as representing somu of tbe Belgians in distress, resulted in a sum of nearly £2 being thrown on tbe stage. Other features of the outstanding interest were a tableau by a group of children of Faitb, Bope and Charity, and the manner in which all tbe items met the spirit of the occasion. An auction sale by Mr de Montalk during the interval of a tennis racquet, poker work stool, and a Jubilee sovereign, augmented ths proceeds by £4 13s. The Belgian National anthem by Messrs Bulte, who also sang "Ye Gallants of England," met with deep appreciation. A display of drill by sons of the Empire (Lieut. Benry and senior cadets) was very well received and had to be repeated. The "Tommies' " favourite, "It's A Long Way to Tipperary," by Mr long, was promptly taken up by the audience. Songs by Miss Muir, solos by Mrs Vaughan and Mr Benton, recitations by Father Skinner and Rev. C. A. Vaughan, won high favour, and with several demonstrative songs by tbe children made up an attractive programme. A very effective grand tableau of "Britannia," for the finale, brought a most successful concert to a close, although the hour was late owing to the many encores. The door receipts were nearly £lO, in addition to which a large number of tickets had been sold. The sale of buttonholes, etc., was another source of income besides the auction receipts, and a good sum should be the outcome.