MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 113, 19 November 1858, Page 2

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT MOTUEKA.

We have great pleasure in reporting the fact of there having beeH held in Motueka one of those delightful evenings of ''pleasurable enjoyment that sometime happens in the life of almost everyone, when the mind, not overwrought by anticipation,: receives with greater zest each new surprise, where each one gladly mirrors in his face his neighbor's hilarity, and" none are emulative except in good humour. It seems that;; several of the; young ladies of Motueka, belonging to the Church of England congregation, have been using every means to raise sufficient funds for nium for the use of the chuvph,'and having succeeded therein, "a notable thought struck them that before it entered regularly into its duties it should be subservient to their pleasures, and accordingly a tea party was convened, and a musical festival proposed (mark that!), so the. members of the Musical Class of the institution were politely required to co-operate. This-was promptly complied with, and the result was the following programme,' which:, although rather roughly sketched, i 3 sufficient for our purpose:—Part L—Solo, Harmonium; Panipillous Quadrilles, duett; AHolin, Flute; "and- Piano; Song, by Mr. Handyside ; "ir Barbiere," pinnb duett;' "Hark the Bonny Christchurch Bells," glee; Violin, Flute, ! and Piano ; " Beneath this Stone," glee; iU Glorious Apollo," instrumental; Song, Mr. Handyside ; Solo, piano ; Violin, Flute, Piano ; Duett Quadrilles, Piano; Glee, "Beauteous Eyes;". Harmonium ; Glee, "White Sand and Grey Sand;" Duet, Quadrilles, Jullien; Glee, " bince,First I j saw Your Face; "Rule Britannia," full band. Part II.—" Sicilliari Mariner's Hymn;" " Oh! had I Jubal's Lyre;" "Oh, Lord, we put our Trust;" Hallelujah Chorus, harmonium ; " Sound the Loud Timbrel;" "God Save the Queen." Such a list, we will venture to. 6ay, Nelson never saw at one sitting. About 300 young and old crowded into the hall of the. Institute, and after doing justice to -a. very well served tea (by Mrs. Jones), the concert was proceeded with, Mrs.- Mason presiding at the harmonium ;■ the piano, 1 violin, and flute were respectively played by Mrs. Greenwood, Mr. A. Greenwood, and Mr. C. Greenwood, all in good style. Mr. Handyside's songs, accompanied by himself on^ the piano, were both f * encored ; and the glees and instrumental performances were executed by the- Musical Class, who also assisted the members of the

church- choir in the production of the sacred ]>iece&3 in (he second part. All*these things.gay^cjteeedia. ing satisfaction, jvhd persons competent '■■■to'-, judgev pronounced it a, well managed concert, and:highty" pleasurable in its effects; The concert concluded about ten o'clock ; but'the opportunity was to bo made the most of, and the happy idea struck them ; that the band being present; and the young people * willing,; dancing was one of the most; desirable tilings in the world; so then began, a fresh- modeof enjoyment, which was thoroughly,tested,:fora two or three hours more, Mr. Parkes' trombone^ not a little adding to the effectiveness of the band; and one and all agreed that, it should not be long before they again met for a similar entertainment, having surprised themselves with the amountoor:fr: latent talent; that can be brought into action 'whenf necessary. .. / . ~;-■■ ■■; ;.;■.; ..;: .- ; ;."- . L .<..' .X. If we contrast these happy : meetings with.our '-.• own musical, performances, we shall observe a vast " difference in the promoting cause. With us, it takes-the form of necessity instead of pleasure,rarid and it is mostly dictated by charitable intentions ■ rather than from a love of the art and friendly reunions. It is evident that the two last are the incentives, to. our. Alotueka friends, and ihe sooner - we follow their*example the better—^perhaps we should more justly say that old habits' falleiv into disuse should be vigorously' resuscitated among us. When the niind is wearied" with the events of a day in commercial life, and requires a change or an in vigoratingstim ulus, what so beneficial to the thought, and grateful to'the ear, as music? —a power in itself incapable of conveying a bad " thought, and presenting, few .difficulties in its acquirement. We have but little excuse, now that competent- teachers" cdrr be"? found,* for not attending to, the cultivation of'a sciencevtbafcpre-! ! sents incalculable beauties and allurements. ; : : i : ..- *