LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1917, Page 6

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN.

SUCCESSFUL OKATO CONCERT. There was a crowded house at the eoncert at the OkatA Hall on Thursday night in aid of the mutual aid fund of the Legion of Frontiersmen, people being present from as far away as Opunake and New Plymouth. Though the programme was a lengthy one, it proved. all too short for the audience, who appreciated every item and awarded unstinted praise to the performers. It opened with the National Anthem. Several of the performers were old favorites, including Mrs. Wilkes, who was in fine voice, and whose sweet rendering of "Mountain Lovers" in the first half and "Yo San," "I Sometimes Wonder," in the second half evoked imperative recalls, to which she responded with "Wake Up!" and "Keep on Hoping," .bowing her acknowledgments to further recalls. Mr. Norman Day sang "The Lute Player" and "Invietus" in his usual fine style, responding with "The Garden I Love" and_ "Little Mary Fawcett." Mr. W. Goldsworthy sustained his popularity with, elocutionary items of a high order. He contributed "The Bridegroom of .St. Pierre" and "Eugene Aram's Dream," with "By the Yukon's Trail" as a recall number. j All performers who were new to the coast, particularly ladies from Inglewood and Stratford, quickly became favorites. Miss Sangster, Stratford, the possessor of a full, well trained soprano voice, scored decided successes in "Sunshine and il,lin" and "My Ships," and also her encore numbers "Coming Home" and "When Y r ou Come Home." Miss Laing (Inglewood) very feelingly rendered "Sunshine" and. as an encore, "Until," quickly making herself at home with the audience, who regretted her non-appear-ance on the second half. Miss Cocker (New Plymouth) rendered Gounod's "Ave Maria" with depth of feeling, Mr. L. AVcbbcr playing ;> violin obiigato. As an encoiv number she rendered "The Gentle Maiden." The difficult duet, "Barcarolle," was well rendered by Mlsm Cocker and Mr. Webber, whose voices blended admirably, and the fine accompaniment was much admired. Indeed, Mr. A. 0. Sturrock's sympathetic accompaniments were a feature of the evening's success. This gifted pianist had a very heavy evening, playing all the accompaniments, besides two delightful overtures, Chopin's "Polonaise Op. 2IJ No. 1" and an encore, "The Hustle of Spring." Mr. J. P. Whclan. a pleasing baritone, sang "Tis I" and

"Toreador Hola," and as an encore "Ellen Bawm." Mr. L. Webber delighted the audience with the "Boat Song," and as an encore "Love's Dawning." In the second half he showed his versatility by rendering beautifully violin solos "Berceuse" and "Carissiwa." The concert and arrangements generally reflect great credit on the committee responsible, Mes-'iv. Falser Jones. 0. Gill, D. S. Fox, J. Darker. .1. Wooddridge and L. Hunter. The hall was j nicely decorated, the stage b"i:v; arranged by Mrs. .1. S. Fox as a (ir-v.v'-'i;': room. The members of the Tir.o.i o" Frontiersmen appeared in their n;c; ;•: ".-que uniforms, which tlK'v had i\-.:\v;-\ for the first time in public. At !.'.<■ 'exclusion, Mr Fraser Jones thanked all the performers who had come so IV.r to assist them, the ladies who provided supper, and also the audience for its support. In times of peat-i the Legion was self-supporting, but in war time they felt justified in making an appeal to the public on behalf of their sick and wounded. The Legion looked after their own returned men who would prefer the help offered under their system. They had had severe losses, and he instanced that whereas in 1913 the East Africa troop was 2000 there were now only 231 left in the battalion. The New Zealand stations had suffered similarly. In fact there was not a unit that had not a roll of honor. It was the bounden duty of those left to meet the needs of thope that had gone. He therefore expressed the gratitude of the Legion to those that had assisted.

Mr. Goldsworthy, on behalf of Mr. Sturroek (who had arranged the programme) and the performers, stated that they were pleased to be able to assist in the success of the entertainment.

Supper was then dispensed, the ladies in charge of this department being Mesdames Fraser Jones. A. Muir. J. Ducker, ,T. Wooldridge, W.'H. Hawkins, W. B. Smith. Misses Cassie (2) and Hill. A doll presented by Mrs. A. Muir, and dressed by Miss. F. Corbet t, Warea, realised over £;">, its name (Nancy) being guessed by Miss Betty Hsffvkins. Sweets and lollies sold by numerous little girls also added to the general fund. After the hall was cleared dancing was kept up till the early hours. Messrs L. Carey and Cecil Corbett made efficient M.sO, while excellent music was provided by Mr. Pearson, several extras being contributed.