PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Te Aroha News, Volume XVI, Issue 222050, 13 February 1900, Page 2

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

A GREAT SUCCESS. The long-looked for concert in ni l of the Patri -tic Funds, came off in the Domain g: ounde on Saturday evening last. Prior to- iho- c •mmencem'mt a procession was formed, headed by the To Aroha Er-iss Bund, and the Te Aroha*- Riftr-s, who marched through Whi taker-street to Ihe Domain, The Doiuain ground was beautifully decorated, at the foot-of the new bath:house a s age was erected in the form of a triumphant arch, p;o : us<dy dec >r ated with ferus and coloured art muslin, flowers, etc., hundreds of Chinese lanterns wo<e hmug. on the trees, flags waved from all points of vantage on the new balh-house, the whole appearance of the Domain appeared like, fairyland.. Too. much praise- cannot, be given to Mr R: E. Crombie, who designed the whole of ihe decorations,, which w-erjO' carried out under his direction. The tableaux were also under the personal direction of Mr Crombie.

The programme* which was a lengthy and appropriate one, comprised some really choice items, was gone through in* a most creditable manner. The Mayor (Mr Edward Gallagher) presided,, and briefly referred to the purpose for which the function was being held., lie next called on the Rev. Joseph Campbell, who repeated the first verse of that well-known hymn, ‘ Q. God our help in ages past/' all present joining in singing, The Te Aroha brass band,, which has improved very much during the past few months, rendered a selec tiom the sw.eot s‘rains of. which could be beard all through.the park. Next on the list was a tableaux entitled ‘ Britannia/ the principal pirt in which was taken by Mins Alvina Cuutobie, who, for steadiness and posture, could not be- improved on.;, she was raised on a dais, holding in her hand the usual trident, and was enshrouded in the flags of the- nation, while on her left was a- very fine specimen of" the British lion, and Volunteers Hi Hirst and Sergeant J. Maingay, of the Te Aroha Rifles, who with, bayonets fixed lo dced'ns if they meant business,.and on their left was a small cannon, with Mr J, Allen as gunner,, the wholeforming an imposing picture.. Mr H. Lawn rendered a cornet solo in his well-known finished style. 1 Britons Brave and True’ and ‘Absent minded Beggar/ songs- that require a deal of singing to have effect, were sung byMr T. Allen, who, although in indifferent. health, proved his vocal capabilities in an unraistakeable manner. During the singing of the latter item a col'ection was taken up, which was handsomely respond: d to.. Mr F. Griffith, of Paeroa, sang several patriotic songs, which appeared to rouse the-martial spirit f>f the audience. A. squad of the Te Aroha Rifles gave a military display. Miss Dazeley’s singing of The King’s Own’ was much appreciated. A pqthetic tableaux, ‘Ordered to the Fiont/was next shown; the first scene showed a. soldier Bidding good-bye to his wife and child, which evoked loud applause ; the second' scene depicted the wife and" child alme in their grief:- the parts were ably tuk' n by Miss Pavitfc, Mr W. Maingay, and Miss Bonny Balcke. Mr Thos. Mcl doe then gave ‘ Britan ia,. the Pride of the Ocean’ with splendid effect. Miss Bonny Balcke, a minor, greatly p’eased. the audience by her rendoiing of a recitation entitled’ ‘When the Boys Come Home/ Several items were given by the Edison Kinematograph Company. The whole concluded' by those present singing the National Anthem.. As pianist for the occasion Miss Hirst, made a very capable one. Mr McGregor conducted the musical part of the programme and was ably assisted by members of the Musical Society. The speakqrs for the occasion, in addition to His Worship the M-iyor, who presided,, were the Rev. J. Campbell, M.A., and the Rev. T. Walls, M.A. Both these gentlemen, each in characteristic- style, made eloquent speeches. The Rev.. CamnbelJ referred to the noble effbrss of the colonies on behalf of the Motherland, and touched a responsive chord in thebreasts of his hearers when ho declared that in the present contest, as in many another, the British stood for the principles of jus: ice aftd righteousness. The awtenfr spirit of loyalty that breathed in his words GonmnfYneatod itself to 1 the vast audience, which He succeeded in rousing to- a high pitch of enthusiasm; The Rev. Walls brought before the minds of his hearers the great principles for which the British arms are contending. His words were insfinct with a lofty patriotism, that appealed strongly to the thoughtful among his hearers, as he spoke of the noble ancestry of Britons and Boers alike. We eho'ild conquer these men, lie said, not in the spirit of ha 1 rod, out in the spirit of love. The thanks of the Committee are due to M.-ssrs Hirst, Edwards, Luxf >rd, La.very, Baiue, O’Meagher; S nnr lon. Mcluinan, He heringt >n, Wright, J. B. J -hnson, Wallace, and Misses W .Id and Salmon for supplying goods,, etc.