Concert at Omata.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 106, 9 May 1904, Page 2

Concert at Omata.

WELCOMB 'l'd RKV. BRADBURY, On Friday the Omata Hall was crowded to excess on tho occasion of the concert arranged by the people of the district, to introduce and welcome Jtev. A. M. Bradbury the new Anglican minister. Unusual preparations had been made and the stage presented a pretty sight, decorated with fine effect. Mr I). McAlltun, in the absence of Rev. F. (!. Evans, occupied the chair, and on behalf of those present extended a hearty welcome to Rev. Bradbury, wishing him a pleasant experience during his stay amongst them. A lengthy and varied programme was rendered, ami the merit of the many contributions far surpassed the expectations of the audience. Conspicuous on the programme were the Misses L. and J. McAllum, dynes and Weir, who had gone to no end of trouble in arranging the tubleatix, sketches, and comic effects. The eccentricities and sudden changes of threw charming young ladies into the most repulsive, of " Old Maids of Lea," with mirth provoking in the extreme, and Misses McAllum, Weir, and Glynes deserve great credit for their ingenious "make-up." No less funny was the sketch "A trip to Dublin," depicting the trials and troubles of the Bonnington-Browns. Miss McAllum represented the elderly Mr Bonning-ton-Brown, ami Miss J. McAllum took the place of his wife for the time being. Their daughter Murinntha was personified by Mrs R. Cleniow, Hon. Adolphus Algernon Montmorency Smith by Miss J. Glynes, mid the Irish waiter by Miss D. Glynes. The performers, at the end of the piece, had to return and bow their acknowledgments of the enthusiastic plaudits of the house. Of Mr Honnington's comicalities, which provoked unrestrained laughter, "To-morrow" was the most popular, though everyone of his items was wonderfully good. Mr Heard's powers of entertaining were in great demand, and the audience seemed almost insatiable. As tho chairman remarked, had the whereabouts of the hero of Mr Bradbury's recitation been known to the Czar or the Mikado, they would have instructed their armier to catch and copy his antics depicted in " How Bill Adams won Waterloo," Misses Weir and Glynes produced the duet *' Darby and Joan, with good' effect. The tableaux were* staged entitled " Tho Sleeping Beauty," " The Doctor," and " Pear's Soap," and were heartily applauded, those taking part being Mrs Clomow, Misses Glyes, .1. and L. McAllum, Keitha Wnllaeh, Messrs Coats and L. Frost, and Master Leslie Maco. Rev. Bradbury gave a splendid rendering of the song, "A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea," and Miss Weir and Mr Frost were equally successful in Ihe duet " Larboard Watch." Mr G. W. Wareham's " Uncle Podgers" produced great hilarity, Mr Coates making a great success of his part as Madge. Considerable merit was shown in the pianoforte solos by Misses Littlepage and Evans, and the accompaniments during the evening were sympathetically played. At the conclusion of the concert the hall was cleared for dancing, and it was quite two o'clock before the very enjoyable function was hrought to a close, Mr Frost acting as M.C. The funds of the Anglican Church should benefit considerably as a result of the entertainments, which were capitally arranged.