MELBA IN AUCKLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1919, Page 7

MELBA IN AUCKLAND.

RETURNING TO ENGLAND. Among the through passengers by the Niagara to Vancouver, en route to England, i 9 Dame Nellie Melba, still thinking of ways and means by which to augment the Red Cross funds. In spite of her various efforts in the past in this direction, she has lost none of her enthusiasm for the good cause. Upon her arrival in England, Dame Melba will appear in the Albert Hall, in aid of the Blind Soldiers' and Sailors' Fluid, after which she will tour the provinces on behalf of the Red Cross. Returning to London, she hopes to have a season of opera at Covent Garden during May, June and July, and expresses the opinion that, should peace be concluded in May, this will be one of the most brilliant seasons of her experience. Dame Melba thinks of touring France and Italy on behalf of the Red Cross Society in the autumn.

Recently the talented singer raised £2125 for Mr. John Lemmone, the wellknown Australian flautist' who, it is interesting to remember, brought to New Zealand M. Paderewski, who has now become the first Prime Minister of the new Polish republic. With Dame Melba is Miss Peggy Center, a young Australian of whom she has great hopes. Dame Melba also mentioned that two Auckland singers, Miss Jessie Geddes and Miss Laura Walker, are making good progress at her conservatorium.