Concert at Waihou.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4449, 14 August 1909, Page 2

Concert at Waihou.

OPENING OF THE NEW ORGAN.

It is only a few weeks ago since the idea of securing a new organ for ecclesiastical purposes was first mooted at Waihou. No sooner said than done, subscription lists were set in and. within a few days the amount of capital required was fully subscribed, and the purchase of the instrument was left in the hands of the Rev. P. Cleary .vicar of St. Mark’s, Te Aroha. The organ —a very fine instrument— arrived in due course, and to celebrate the opening a Concert was arranged, which eventuated in the Waihou Public Hall on Thursday evening last. The attendance was a large and representative one. some persons coming long distances in order to be present; a coach load and several buggy loads arrived from Te Aroha. Shortly after 8 o’clock, the Chairman (Rev. P. Cleary) briefly referred to the purchase of the organ, and opened the evening’s entertainment by calling upon Mr W. Brodie to step forward and “ send forth some sweet sounds ” from the new organ. Mr Brodie played several pieces in a manner that left very favourable impressions upon those present of the quality of the instrument, and the recital was received with loud applause. The vocal portion of the programme was opened by that favourite solo, “ Out on the Deep,” by Mr T. Molndoe; violin solo and piano obligato, “ Killarney,” Misses Casey; the singing of “ Angus Macdonald,” by Mrs (Dr.) Axford, brought forth rounds of applause the audience demanded an encore, in response to which she sang " Husheen” ; cornet duet, “ Paul and Virginia,” Messrs T. Donovan and L. Buchan ; song, “ Call me Back,” Mr R. S, Hanna ; pianoforte solo, “ Pasquinade,” Mrs (Rev.) W. C. Blair; a rare musical treat and fully appreciated by those present, and in response to an imperative encore, this lady gave another selection, which was equally well received ; .the Rev. P. Cleary was in good voice and he sang “ The Postillion ” so successfully that an encore “ Lucky Jim,” resulted; plantation song with banjo accompaniment, Mrs Wigg (encored) ; pianoforte selection, “ Double Eagle,” Miss Teague ; organ recital, “ Crusaders March,” MrW. Brodie; song, “ Afton Water,” Mrs Makgill, and in response to an encore “ Come Back to Erin ” ; comet duet, Messrs T. Donovan and L. Buchan, loudly applauded and encored ; “ Slave Song ” (by Del Riego), Mrs (Dr) Axford ; .Mr T. Mclndoe fairly brought down the house with his fine rendering of “ Jock’s Tarn,” and as an encore piece sang " Tell Her I .Love Her So ” ; pianoforte solo, “ Minuett ” (by Paderewski), Mrs (Rev.) W. C, Blair, another gem which was much apprecicated ; vocal duet, “ Larboard Watch,” Rev. P. Cleary and Mr T. Mclndoe ; plantation song, with banjo accompani • ment, “ I Want You Ma Honey,” Mrs Wigg, vociferously applauded ; Mr R. S. Hanna gave a satisfactory rendering of “ For All Eternity,” for which much applause resulted ; last, but not least, was a pretty pianoforte duet by the Misses Taylor. All present joined in singing the National Anthem. The Rev. P. Cleary returned thanks to the ladies who had collected for the organ, whieh enabled it to be opened free of debt, with a little to spare, for this Waihou had reason to congratulate itself ; to Mrs Glynn. Lewis, for the loan of such an excellent piano, which had gone a good deal towards the success of the Concert; to Mr W. R. Johnson for undertaking the duties of Secretary ; and to all the artists for their assistance in connection with the programme.

The accompaniments were exquisitely played by Mrs Wigg, Mrs (Rev) \Y. C, Blair, and Miss Casey, The concert was voted by those present to be the best held in Waihou for many years past. Refreshments were handed around, which were done full justice to ; after which lovers of the terpsichorean art spent a few hours in this popular pastime.