PLUNKET NURSE CONCERT

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 84, 8 December 1914, Page 3

PLUNKET NURSE CONCERT

A SUCCESSFUL FUNOTiON

Taihape put up a creditable performance last night, for it accorded hearty support to the concert promoted to raise funds for the local branch of the Plunket Nurse-. Society. The Town Hall was comfortably filled with an audience which treated all performers to a cordial reception.

The services of the local Plunket Nurse are retained in the district principally by the efforts of a committee of Taihape ladies of humanitarian spirit, who have, however, experienced mnei difficulty iu meeting the .financial obligations of the Socity. Donations from those generously disposed have been gladly accepted, but an extension of revenue by this means would bo welcomed as all receipts car. be disbursed to advantage. Last night’s programme was submitted with the intention of strengthening the finances of the local branch and the object was achieved to the extent of over £ls. This sura will be devoted to an object which must appeal to'old' arid'young, married and single alike, for the necessity of preserving infant life cannot be over-esti-mated, and residents of this district should appreciate their fortunate position of having a Plunket Nurse amongst them.

The programme was opened with a spirited and accomplished pianoforte solo, “ Harpe .Elioenne, ”■ by Mrs. Mummer' which was well received. Then followed a vocal quartette by Mrs. Loughnan, Miss Miller, Mr. R. J. Loughnan, and Mr. F. Mitchell. “The Victor’s Return” was followed by “Annie Lee,” both items being unaccompanied and favourably received. Mr, Lionel Dixon followed with “Tfopper Johnny Ludlow,” and for an encore sang “Son of Mine,” and met with a cordial reception. Mr. H. W. Haybittle was heartily received in each of three recitations and the double encore he received expressed the sentiments of the audience. His first piece, “Ostler Joe,” was followed by the lighter-veined “Yacob Strausse, ” and on his third appearance Mr. Haybittle scored with “The Tale of a Tramp.” Mr. R. J. Loughnan added to his reputation by his rendition of the violin solo, “The Gypsy Song.” Then followed the piece de resistance and for its faithful representation and presentation great credit is due to Mrs. Loughnan. The tableau, “Britain and Iter Allies,” was enthusiastically heralded at the recent- patriotic concert and its repetition last evening was the most popular item of the programme. Mrs. De Latour made a graceful and dignified “Brittania” and inj the-tableaux the following ladies faithfully pourtrayed the characters mentioned: —EngInrd. Mrs. R. A. Davis; Ireland, Miss KmirSns; Scotland, Miss McLaughlan; Belgium; 1 Miss Kinnaird; France, Miss Madge Smith; Russia, Miss A, Carpeltier; Japan, Miss Parkese; India, Miss Hinemoa McDonell; Canada, Miss I, Carpenter; Australia, Miss E, Stew r art; New Zealand, Miss Dorothy James; and Taihapc, Miss Mildred N'oaglo. As the curtain rose and fell to the strains of “.“-(JMors of the King” and “Rule Brittania” the audience vociferously applauded and the stage ropresentatlor. of “Britain and Her Allies” was enthusiastically received,

Mrs. Plummer accompanied the singers on the pia»». The second portion of the programme was devoted to a laughable farce, entitled “My Turn Next/" which kept the audience highly amused throughout its presentation. As an amateur production, “My Turn Next” came tip to expectations and to Mr. Stent, who devoted a deal of time to tuition, a word praise is due. Mr. Alex Walker was in splendid caste as Taraxieum Twitters, the second husband—or was it the fifth? —of Mrs. Twitters, whose former husband adopted several aliases with a view of evading übiquitous creditors. The proceeding was the pivot on which several misunderstandings brought accompanying apprehension. 'Mr. Walker was natural and quite at home on the while he introduced a deal of “business” into the part., Mrs. Garratt was in her . element as Peggy, the domestic, and the representation of the character was classed as being typical to. the smallest degree. Miss Jones was a quiet, mnobstrusive Mrs. Twitters whilst Miss McKeown, as Mrs. Twitters’ sister, was dignified but pleasant, both in appearance and characterisation. Mr. H. Barton, as Torn Trapp, friend of Twitters, could have been more spirited in demeanour, although he spoke his lines well. Mr. Cook, as Twitters’ assistant, provided most of the comedy, and altogether came out well. “My Turn Next’’ served its purpose well.