MORRINSVILLE

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43338, 16 June 1908, Page 2

MORRINSVILLE

Own Correspondent,

The concert and dance promoted by Mr and Mrs Scholium, which was held on Friday evening, in aid of the School; Library and Natural Science funds, was | a record event in many ways, The programme of twenty items including encores, being got through by ten j o’clock, starting puntually at 8 o’clock. There was a total absence of the delay so common with local entertainments, and Mr Scholium deserves great credit for his splendid management. Every item was so much appreciated that even' the insuppressable small boy was on his best behaviour. A unique item on the programme was the presentation of the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal certificate to Mrs J. D. Macfarlane for conspicuous bravery in rescuing Mr C. Grigsby from drowning on January 14th, 1907, at the time of the big flood. The chairman of the Town Board, Mr S. S. Allen, occupied the chair and in opening the concert stated that Mr Scholium, had undertaken to promote a concert in. aid of a local object and they ( considered that they could not do better (than donate the proceeds to the school library.

The first item wai a piano overture by Mrs D. R. F. Campbell, performed in her usual high-class manner, this lady also played all the accompaniments very effectively ; song, “ O ! Memory,” Mr Binstead, was well received ; song, “ May Mom ” was pleasingly rendered by Miss Lydia Beehan, and received well - merited applause. Miss Clarke showed herself an adept in elocution in the recitation “ The Glee Bung Polo Club,” and was loudly applauded ; Mrs Scholium was the next to appear and the audience showed her popularity by giving her a most enthusiastic reception. Her song “Heightless Land” was indeed well worth the admission fee, and having to submit to a pronounced encore, gave a charming little “ Irish Comic Song,” again having to bow her acknowledgements. The next item, a recitation by Mr Harry Herbert, of Auckland, entitled “The Motor Car,” (a groom’s story by Banjo Paterson,) fairly brought down the house, as an encore he gave “ Mrs Hodgson’s Funeral ” and the audience tried hard to get him back again; Mrs Winter in her selected song, sang very nicely. An interval of a few mimutes then followed. Piano Overture by Mrs Campbell opened the second part. Song, “If those lipsicould only Speak,” by the local favourite, Mr Love, came next, being encored sang “ Bio Grande ” ; song, “ Three for Jack,” by Mr Binstead received, the audience’s approval; song, selected, by Miss Beehan was pleasingly rendered ; recitation, “ Mrs Brown at the Play,” by Mr Herbert again greatly amused the audience, for an encore he gave “ A Day at the Races ” being long aud continuously applauded for what was probably the best items ever given in the Hall; duet, “The Lily and the Rose,” Mrs Scholium and Miss Beehan, was indeed a gem, the ladies having to satisfy the audience with an encore; duet, “ Whispering Hope,” by Mr and Mrs Scholium was the crowning item- to a splendid programme, and although they bowed their acknowledgments, their listeners would not be satisfied until they repeated the last verse.

Mr Allen then called on Mr J. A. Young, the representative of the Royal Humane Society in the Waikato, to come forward and present Mrs J. D. Macfarlane with the medal and certificate awarded her by the Society. Mr Young, in a clear manner detailed the functions of the Society and graphically described the act of bravery performed by Mrs Macfarlane in saving Mr Grigsby’s life. The certificate on vellum reads as follows : —“ The Royal Humane Society awards their silver medal and certificate to Mere Macfarlane for her act of conspicuous bravery in saving the life of Mr Charles Grigsby on the 14th January, 1907.’ The medal was then pinned on Mrs Macfarlane’s breast by Miss Winefred Young. In handing Mrs Macfarlane the certificate, Mr Young expressed the wish that she would long live to remember the occasion of her noble act. Mr Herries. M.P., was the next speaker and was received with applause on rising to speak. He said it was a great pleasure to him to be there that evensng as a representative of the House of Parliament; the other members invited, Messrs Massey, Poland, and Greenslade, being unavoidably absent. He congratulated Mrs Macfarlane for her brave act, and on Mr Grigsby’s behalf he thanked her for Baving his life; he said the number present that evening was an eye opener to him as he had no idea that Morrinsville had such a hall or could fill it so well, and he was pleased that a local object would receive substantial help as a result, and he concluded by - paying a graceful compliment to Mr Young for the way he had worked to get the matter settled, his remarks were endorsed by acclamation. Mr Spargo then thanked all present for their attendance despite the weather, and stated that the Library fluids would benefit to tho amount of fifteen pounds, and he asked them to accord Mr and Mrs Scholium a hearty vote of thanks which was carried by acclamation. Mr Macfarlane in a feeling manner thanked all for tho hearty reception they had accorded Mrs Mac- , farlane ; Mr Scholium also responded stating that ho always took a kindly interest in Morrinsville, and he trusted ere long to be a farmer amongst them. Tho hall was then cleared and dancing indulged in until tho small hours. Mr 11. Pago made a capable M. 0., Misses Cottier, Hinton, and Heath, and Mr Stackpoolo kindly supplying tho musio. The whole function proved a great success from start to conclusion and the Sohool Committee tender their sinoorcst thanks to all concerned. Mr Herries, with his usual generosity handed the chairman (Mr Spargo), on Saturday morning, a cheque for a guinea towards the sohool funds, so the local school library will be brought right up to date.