DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 218, 13 March 1912, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

XORMAXBY. : (From Our Own Correspondent.). The annual Horticultural Show, held this week, proved one of the most successful ever held in the district. The entries were very large, and, indeed, would have been creditable to a much , larger town. The president of the Society (Mr. E. J. Shrimpton) worked very hard to ensure the success of the Show, and he is to be heartily congratulated on the exceptionally high standard attained. During Thursday, the delegates from the Bcpublic of Uruguay, who are just now at the close of a tour of the Dominion, visited the show, under the wing of Mr. Clifton, of the Agricultural Department. The visitors only speaking their own tongue (Spanish) and French, Mr. Clifton explained the various ex,hibits in the latter language. The delegates replied through their interpreter that the/ wore much impressed with what they had seen, and regretted that they had been unable to put in an appearance earlier. The information gathered by them throughout .their tour would be of incalculable benefit to their country, and they could not express in too high terms their sense of appreciation of the kindness experienced by them from the Government of the Dominion, and all those that they had been brought intd contact with since they had landed in the Dominion. In the evening the Town Hall was packed with a large and appreciative audience, which assembled for the Society's annual concert. The programme was a very liberal order, and was reinforced for the occasion by the engagement of several outside artists. Mr. Felix McGuirc, in a felicitous speech, made a few brief introductory remarks prior to the rendering of the programme, in which he thanked those who had come from a distance to help. The following instrumental and vocal items were then gone through:— Overture, "Invercargill," Manaia, Brass Band, very nicely played; song, "Because," Miss M. Winks, sweetly rendered and an encore demanded; song, "The Farmer's Pride," Mr. W. J. Smith (Waitara)'. This singer was in splendid voice, and Had to submit to an undeniable encore, when he responded with "Three for Jack"; song, "A Song of Sleep," was tastefully rendered by Miss P. OConnell; somic 'song, "What would the congregation say?" in which Mr. B. Farmer (Waitara), in the role of an unsophisticated curate, related his quaint adventures, much to the merriment of the audience. In response to an imperative recall, the singer gace "A (K)night in Armor" and "I've shifted further on" in an equally successful maimer. English concertina solo. Mr Handcock (Strat- ' ford)'. This performer is a virtuosa on this wonderful instrument. Though of so small a compass, the big tone drawn from it by the player was amazing. In marches, imitations of the organ, chiming of church bells, etc., Mr. Handcock was equally at home, and he had to respond to numerous encores. Song, "Two eyes of grey," Miss Hughes (Hawera) whs sympathetically sung, and merited the recall of the singer, who responded with "The Wreath." Mr. Boulinson sang .tlu» comic songs, "The Galloping Major" and "She Sells Sea Shells," and Mr. Huntingdon recited "Bendigo" acceptably. Mr. Smith again appeared, and in the rendering of "The Veteran's Song" surpassed his previous efforts, and was forced to respond, which he did, with "Long Live the King." Miss Hughes then followed with a very pathetic recitation, into which the performer infused the necessary amount of feeling. Mr. Fanner's next appearance resulted in the following comic ditties being delivered to the audience:—"T-r-o-u-b-l-e," "Pondlcbury Plum," and a parody on "Asleep in the Deep," all of which'were well received. Mr. Handcock again demonslrated his wonderful command over \ the English ctmeertiiin. and the final item I was thc.Shakcsperian recital of Wolsoy's far Well from Henry VIIL, given by Mr. 1 Farmer. The theme was possibly be-

\ yond a number of the audience, but the I cardinal's robes were a superb piece oi 1 stage dressing. The National Anthem ] concluded the programme, which' was certainly one of the most varied and enjoyable that we have had the pleasure of attending. The accompaniments were | played during the evening by Mr. H. Eowe and Mr. Hutchens (Hawera) in a highly commendable manner. At tin conclusion of the concert, the hall was cleared for dancing, which was entered into with much spirit, and kept up to an early hour, the music being supplied by Mrs. H. Rowe.