POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2598, 19 July 1881, Page 2

POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

A popular entertainment under the auspices of the Lifeboat Lodge,l.O.G.T., took place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street, last evening. There was an excellent attendance. Mr Legott presided and made a few well chosen opening remarks, in which ho briefly recited the incidents of the famous charge of the six hundred at Balaklava, as an appropriate illustration, telling his hearers that they had a far more dangerous foe to contend against in strong drink than the Russians proved themselves on that memorable day, and it therefore behoved them to do their utmost in the cause of temperance. The speaker added that he hoped that they would derive both amusement and instruction that night. IE it was desired to catch a rat a trap must be set lor it, and in order to make the trap effective it must be furnished with an attractive bait. Their entertainment that night was the bait by which the Order hoped to gain recruits to the cause they were all working for. After some further remarks of a similar kind, the Chairman called upon Mr T. J. Kennedy for his song “ The charming young widow I met in the train,” which was given in the singer’s usual capital style and narrowly escaped an encore dispite the fact that the Chairman had previously remarked that owing to the length of the programme, he trusted there would be no recalls. Mr Gr. Warrington followed with “Beware how you tread on his tail,” referring of course to the British Lion. This song is rather of the “ Jingo” type, but like all this class of songs, was very successful. Mrs Buchannan rendered “ Jessie’s dream” very pleasingly, and Mr W. Moore, then recited “ The Arab to his steed,” but although well given the reciter spoke too rapidly and without giving his words due emphasis. Mr R. Foster, who is the possessor of a good baritone, sang “ The Friar of Orders Grey ” very well, and was succeeded by Miss Foster, who gave “ The Distant Shore ” very pleasingly. Mr T. J. Kennedy now obliged with his amusing character sketch, “ The Baker’s Shop on Sunday Morning,” and kept his audience in roars of laughter for some minutes. Miss Bezant played some pianoforte selections with taste and feeling, and was followed by Mr P. Foster with “ The Anchor’s Weighed,” always a somewhat difficult song, but which Mr Foster certainly did justice to. Miss Masker, who possesses a very pleasing voice, then sang “ Thy voice is near ” with much expression, afterwards rendering Juanita.” Mr W. Gilchrist, who is well known as an amateur vocalist next sang “ The White Squall,” and sang it so well that he fairly brought down the house. Mr Kennedy now appeared in another of his funny character sketches in which he enacted the grief of a fond mother at the loss of her child in a way that provoked laughter instead of tears of pity, and received a recall that would not be denied. Miss Foster then sang “ The Bridge,” after which Mr Thomas E. Lyle gave “The Hat my Father Wore.” Mr Lyle was very amusing and received an encore, but he is not quite perfect in “ the brogue.” “ The Recruiting Sergeant,” in which Messrs Hayward and Kennedy appeared, concluded a very pleasant little entertainment and sent everyone home in a good temper. We must not omit to add that between the first and second portions of the programme there was an interval of a few minutes during which tea and cake made their appearance, and were handed round to the audience on trays.

Mr C. Patton played the overture and several pianoforte accompaniments, and Miss Bezant also accompanied several of the singers.