ENTERTAINMENT AT WAI-ITI.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2270, 26 June 1880, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT WAI-ITI.

A musical entertainment, promoted by the members of the AVai-iti School Committee, was held in the Schoolroom last evening. The building, which is admirably adapted for performances of the kind, was thoroughly tilled by a well-dressed audience. A neat little platform, covered • with green baize, was improvised, and a well-arranged programme was disposed of in a manner that gave evident satisfaction. Mr Gf. Stathara presided at the piano with his usual proficiency, performing an overture, composed of selections from “II Trovatorc,” and accompanying the singers with care and ability. The songs, readings, and recitations were uniformly well rendered, and for upwards of two hours the audience were kept thoroughly delighted. Despite the weather, the singers—especially the ladies —were in capital voice, and some of their renditions would have done credit to professional vocalists. Airs Jamieson was the first of the sex to make a decidedly favorable impression on the assemblage. Her song, “Erin’ Sweet Erin,” elicited a raptuous encore. “ Como back to iCrin !” (one of the gems of Irish song) was rendered with much sweetness and expression by Mrs P. J. Wilson, who in answer to a loud and imperative demand favored her listeners with “ Millie’s Faith,” an equally beautiful ballad. Mrs Stubbs, wdio possesses a voice of considerable flexibility, sang, “Oh, gird me Freedom Over,” in a most pleasing manner, and was loudly applauded. “The Captive Crock Cirl” by Mrs Simmunds hold the audience spell-bound, and sbe bad to respond to the inevitable encore with “ The Brook.” Mrs Evans sang the “ Lady of the Lee” with much pathos and expression. “The Blue Alsatian Mountains,” and “In the Gloaming” were two of the evening’s gems, the singer—Mrs Scaly —possessing a voice of singular purity and swectncis. Mr Kirby favored the audience with a reading from Dickons’ “ Hard Times” and a recitation, “Hans Breitmann’s Party,” the former melting the house with its pathos, the latter convulsing everybody with its drollery. The funny element had a most capable exponent in Mr Roach, who fairly electrified the school with the merriment of “ Larry Maloney’s Lament” (of which Miss Roach, a young Adelaide lady, is the accomplished authoress), and “ Dot schmall young paby.” Mr JTolthouso gave an elocutionary treat that will not readily be forgotten, las “ Charge of the Light Brigade,” being rendered with soul-inspiring fervour. The male singers were all well up in their performances. Mr Nelson led the way with “The Married Man’s Lament,” a quaint Scotch ballad, full of dry humour. Air Mansfield was equally happy with “ The Four Jolly Smiths.” Mr IB Foster was loudly applauded for his rendering of “ The Boatman of the Downs,” and Air P. Foster produced such a furore with “ Thy Voice is Near” that ho had to respond with “Anita.” Mr Walcot, whose singing capabilities are well known, gave the “ Bed Cross Banner ” with remarkably fine effect, and in response to an encore, “ England’s Homo.” Air Hogg sang a couple of ancient ballads and brought clown the house. The instrumental music was materially assisted by Air Muller, who performed a solo during the evening and accompanied some of the singers. The entertainment, which concluded with the National Anthem, sung by the whole company, passed off most successfully, and wc trust will be the forerunner of many an equally enjoyable evening at Wai-ili.