Amusements.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 43, 20 January 1894, Page 5

Amusements.

ST. MARY’S ART UNIOH. Following the usual practice, the promoters of the above art union announced that the drawing would take place at the close of a concert. This was held in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday evening, and, although railway excursions and school picnics precluded a crowded house, drew a fairly numerous audience. The City ■Guards’ Rand played from the balcony. and afterwards opened the concert programme with a selection, doing their w T ork with credit to themselves and their conductor, Mr Mohr. His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. Raeside) then came forward and delivered an address, which, in sympathy with a not unnatural desire ■on the part of the people to reach the •drawing, he considerately and sensibly made brief. He stated that the committee of management were Avell pleased with the way in which the tickets had gone off, and on behalf of the Rev. Father Yereker and the Roman Catholic community of Invercargill thanked all who had contributed to the success of the art union. The Mayor then gave place to Mr J. E. Taylor, who was in admirable voice, and scored well with Webster’s “ Who shall be King P” At a later stage he was again deservedly applauded for his singing of “ The Skipper” (Jude). Mrs C. J. Murphy, in “ Sing, Sweet Bird,” a song that she has

made her own, proved that she has not lost her power to charm as a vocalist. She was loudly recalled, and gratified all with a fine rendering of .Adams’s beautiful composition, The Holy City.” An instrumental selection followed, a cornet solo by Mr A. F. Lithgow, our champion player, whose selection, “ The Last Rose of Summer,” was given in a way that amply justified his right to championship honours, Mr E. B. Mac Kay made an excellent impression in “Your Voice” (Tours) with violin obligato by Master W. Ferguson. The latter also contributed a violin solo, “ The Wearin’ o’ the Green,” with good effect. A concertina solo, “Bingley Gallop,” by Mr P. Dunn, took the house by storm, and he had to give a second exhibition of his mastery of the instrument. The audience were next favoured with the only duet of the evening, “ The Elfin Call” (Glover) by Misses Hishon and K. Kirwan. It was given with charming effect, being sung with a

sweetness and freshness well according with the theme. Pontet’s “ Last Muster,” by Mx* W. D. Smith, was a capital piece of work and was encored, the vocalist x’esponding with The Young Bxngade.” Last, but far fx-om least, came Mr T. J. Anthony with his di'oll “Mullingar,” which drew roars of laughter and a prompt demand for more. The accompaniments were played in firstclass style by Miss Kirwan. The dx-awing of tickets then took place, and was canned out under the supei’vision of a committee, the Mayor annonncingresnlts. These are advertised in another column. It may be added that Mr W. J. McKeown secures the trophy given to the seller of the largest number of tickets. He disposed of 52 books, each containing 20 tickets —a big record in that line.