CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 7, 21 July 1883, Page 3

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CONCERT.

The concert in aid of the funds of the Church of England, at Te Aroha, which was held "attire Public Hall on Tuesday evening, was.in every way a success. The weather was all that could be desired, the clear frosty air and bright moonlight made walking* or driving very pleasant, and people were present from all parts of the! district, evidently intent on enjoying themselves,' The stage was tastefully decorated with' ' flags and colored drapery, which formed an extempore but by no me ins very pleasant green room for the performers until their several turns arrived for coming before the public. The place is, however, exceedingly draughty and cold,'and not even a chnir was provided for the ladies. On any future occasion, it has been suggested that the two front rows of chains be sot apart for the use of orchestra and singers, who could then, steps being .fixed, return lo their places after each song ; this would enable the performers to enjoy themselves with the rest of the, audience instead of being cooped up l?ehind the scenes. Atfs o^jlock sharp the band, Messrs Dewar and Burgess (violins), Mr H.issett (cornet), Mr Pobson (flute), Miss Clark (ijiano), gave the " Wood Demon " in a most crJditnblo manner. Th»n followed the " Huntsman's Chorns " well sung by the Choir, a very numerous one. The lsidietf being very tastefully dressed added much to the general bright appearance of tue stage. Miss Kilian's song " Apart " was well rendered, and in the duet " Money Matters," Mrs Lawless and Mr Hassett, appeared to give great satisfaction to the audience. Mrs Lawless's acting pt her part wa« worthy of a professional, and received n hearty encore The pianoforte duet by Misses Warren and Wainwright was really a musical treat. Mr Burgess sang -'Oh hear the wild winds blow," but he evidently was suffering from a severe cold and consequently could not do full justice to hinise-lf. In the latter part of the concert he had to beg the indulgence of the audience, and .vsk to be excused si'i ing the song put down to him. "The Mn mur of the Shell," one of the prott t«»t "f l» rott y son "' s « WmS ver - v nieoly sung by Mrs O'Haliuran. Tlie good old hong, " the Oak and the Ivy," and *' Once Again," were well well sung by Messrs Pavitt and Hassett respectively, and the first part of the entertainment concluded with "The Meeting of the Waters," sung by the Choir. The second part commenced with *' Bonaparte's Grand March," well played by the Band and the " Forester's Chorus" by the Choir. Miss Hood sang "The Fairy Tempter" very nicely and carefully, hut, as above stated', Mr Burgees did not feel able to give " The. Roll Call," and was excu^-d. The next piece, a violin and pianoforte duet by Mi** Clark and Mr Dewar, was udmiralih played and elicited d -served applause. Mi- Lawless follow el with the well-known i'avorite '• Oh steer my bark to Erin's Isle," and so sati-fijd her audience that an en^rou is demanded, when she gave anoth. ;• son^. In Mi->* Wain wri^ht's pianoforte ••010, which win next on the programme, her correct time. and masterly manipulation were greatly h 1 mired. Master Kilian's vocal se'eetio.is iroui "Patience" were received with great approbation, and a hearty encore followed. Mrs O'HalloranV song "Hume of my heart" was sung very sweetly, and elicited great applause. One of the best songs <>i the evening was that of "Never Moie," admirahly given by Mr Whit -house with great taste and feeling. It was enthusiastically encored, and in ro<p>.nsethe last verse was repeated. The same gentleman and Miss Kilian rendered that old, hut ever-green duet, " What are the wild waves saying" with great expressioq. The trio, "Apollo strikes his lyre" by Messrs H.issett, Burgess, and Whitehouse was the la^t piece on the proorainnie, and the musical portion of the entertainment wound up with " God Save the Queen," Misses Clarke and Wainwright played the various accompaniments, the iirst-nauied young Tarty doing the largest share of work, and both acquitting the-mselves most creditably. Mr Dewar, we need hardly say, proved a most efficient conduct >r. We regret to say thnt the 1 'rrikin ele.m >nt wis strong.y developed amongst »o\m of th • juveniles, and the noi^e tliey ma c greatly marred t.ie eiijoyjn-nt of many in s-om ; "t the be-t pieces. We would : ugge.it th.if in futiw-' at any similar ent'rtainm j :)t, should this condip-t i>3 r -peited, that provision should bs made for the expulsion ol ill-mannored lads, no matter who the\ may bo. Dancing commenced after the concert had t •nuinatcd, and a large nuiub^r of both sexes enjoyed themselves tili the small hours, the only drawback beini; that the room was rather crowded. On thu whole the entertainment could not have gone off better, and the nett re«uiltß to the fuud will be«bout£2o. Mr Burgess, was really the spirit of the whole, and deserves great credit. Dr. Bond and Mr Wiggins acted as ticket and check-takers, and proved most efficient.