MAUNGATUROTO.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 18 September 1903, Page 3

MAUNGATUROTO.

(Own Corresinondent.)

AMUSEMENTS.

An excellent concert was given by the scholars of the public school on September 4th, in the public hall, and although the bad roads and unsettled weather prevented numbers from attending, there was a very good house, the takings r .including sale of programmes, etc., amounting to about £9. Mr Chadwin as chairman of the school committee occupied the chair, and after a short address read the balance-sheet of last year's concert proceeds showing funds in hand 14s 6d.

An excellent progran.me of varied items was then rendered to an appreciative audience, wluch called forth hearty applause. The opening scene, " Gipsies' Camp," Was a theme of gen : eral admiration, the scenery and dresses were most stiitable, and much admired; the soloists were, Misses P. Mountaine, Daisy Dodd, Madge and Muriel Cullen, and V. Foley. "The Cachuca," by Misses V. Foley, M. Cullen, D. Dodd and P. Mountaine was gracefully performed; Miss A. Snelling accompanied this item on the piano. "The Little Joiners" who had been well drilled by Miss L. Clarke (Infant mistress) caused great amusement, and graciously responded to an emphatic encore. Miss Vera Foley was also encored for her "Japanese Fan Dance," (Miss Foley accompaniste). The stage was then quickly transformed into a street in Rome, as pictured in the academy picture "Mark Antony's Oration." This very difficult scene from " Julius Cresar " was intelligently and forcibly declaimed by Masters K. Dell (Brutus), Edward Finlayson (Mark Antony), and a host of boys in Roman costume who gave to noble orators a natural and sympathetic hearing. Edward Finlayson, whose rendering of Antony's speech over Ctesar's body won the admiration of all and received a well-merited ovation. After an interval of ten minutes the curtain disclosed the piece of the evening: A musical skit on "San Toy," entitled " The Little Mis-ter-ee San Toy. The stage setting with its glittering dragons and general air of barbaric splendour, together with the bright hued Chinese dresses, created quite a sensation. The acting of all concerned in this part of the programme was much above the ordinary. Miss P. Mountaine truly lookej: a precious pearl in her quaint San Toy costume. Miss D. Dodd sang very creditably the music allotted to "Poppy." Master Eddy Foley as "Tan Kow," proved one of the successes of the evening ; he and his six little wives were well deceived. Will Dell was good as the effete Emperor. Masters J. and B. Finlayson were the noble representatives of England in the Imperial Court at Pekin. A "Pas de Seul" by Miss V. Foley—late of Miss A. Knight's class, Auckland—was performed before the Chinese Emperor. The Sir Bingo Preston was Master E. Finlayson. Li's song was sung by Master Ben Dell. The closing chorus "Maid in the Moon," was repeated before the audience would allow the performance to close. " God Save the King," sung by all, concluded a very excellent programme, which reflects great credit for patient instruction on the part of the teachers, and when the next school concert is advertised, we should strongly recommend those who enjoy a first class evening's entertainment to go and see what well trained and well-dressed school children can .do, in that line.