OAKURA

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1928, Page 11

OAKURA

CONCERT FOR BEACH FUNDS. (From the News’ Correspondent.) A concert was held in the ball m Tuesday in aid of the funds of the local improvement society. The programme was arranged by Mrs. Kircher, of New Plymouth, who brought with her an excellent company. The committee of the society is to be congratulated on having secured the help of Airs. Kircher, and as a largo audience was attracted, the society benelAed substantially.

The programme consisted of musical items, recitations and a couple of playettes, all very happily chosen, and the audience enjoyed every moment of the evening. The artists in the sketches gave their performance with great zest and distinct talent; and an evenness of merit which both enhanced their work and made it impossible to praise one abo-c another.

The story without words, “A Visit to the Dentist,” thrilled the audience throughout its short span with joy and anguish—first comedy, and then the' tragedy of the dentist’s chair and ministrations, and the happy ending when all the characters were pleased, the patient relieved of an ofitendibg molar, and the dentist and his assistant once more in silent tete-a-tete. Perhaps Mrs. Mill was to be specially congratulated for her realistic performance in the chair—she “went under” chloraform as to the manner born. The dentist, Mr. Elliot, gave the audience a nasty turn (which, they took in a body and with groans) when he thoughtfully picked up a braee and bit, and approached the unconscious patient. The tool was however regretfully laid aside and a gimlet did duty in its place. Mies R. Thompson made a charming and sympathetic nurse, and responded demurely to tlie dentist’s Jess professional attentions.

In “Billy’s Surprise,” Mrs. Kircher was the leading lady, and gave a most delightful interpretation of the joyous, too attractive younger sister, returning from an engineered trip abroad to the home of a married and obviously jealous sister. Having quietly let the audience into her secret, she leads on her sister and an unfortunate young man who has been dragged into the plot by the heels, and has been primed by the sister to propose to Billy. Mr. Elliot’s representation of the nervous and all too unsuitable young man convulsed the audience with laughter, while Mrs. Hill played the rather thankless' part of the jealous sister with a nice discretion. The happy ending placed the rejected Billy well out of her sister’s somewhat acid scope, and Emily, the dainty maid, Miss R. Thompson, quite clearly rejoiced in her triumph. Altogether, the two sketches were most ably presented and captured the hearts of the audience completely.

Mrs. A. B. Macdonald opened the concert, and sang “Happy Song”, by Del Riego, with delightful sweetness and purity of tone, and responded to recalls with a second song. She later sang two duets with her husband, which were received with enthusiasm. Mr. Macdonald’s solo was "The Stoker,” and he also sang an encore nuuiber, Mr. J. Quin gave "The Mountain Lovers,” in a tenor voice of pleasing quality. He was recalled and gave another number. Mr. A. Howlett delighted the audience with several comic songs excellently rendered.

The elocutionists were Mrs. Kircher, Miss R. Thompson, Miss Eva Longstaff, Miss L. Knight and Mr. Elliot. Mrs. Kircher’s monologues were clever and laughable, and were given with just the right touch of comedy, and Miss Knight and Miss Thompson both acquitted themselves most creditably. Both introduced “that creepy feeling”—burglars and spectres were their theme —and the audience shivered unanimously in horror, only to relapse into shouts of laughter in the intervals between shudders.

Miss Eva Longstaff gave a very charming little performance, "I couldn’t help it, could I?” and really looked the part of the mischievous innocent, whose tale she unfolded.

Instrumental items were given by Mr. and Miss George. Mr. George played two fine violin solos with finished execution, and a delightful facility of touch, and also a guitar, solo, which was encored. Miss GeorgrVs rendering pf Grieg’s "Wedding Morning” was masterly and brilliant.

Mrs. Skelton, the accompanist, gave excellent support to all the vocalists. At the close of the concert, Mr. Guy Bell explained how Mrs. Kircher, after camping on the beach during the summer, had offered to help the improvement society by means of an entertainment. She had taken the entire responsibility of the programme. The proceeds of the concert, he said, would be devoted entirely to the expenses connected with improvements on the beach, where it is intended to build a dressing shed before next season.

The library building lias now been moved to its new site and is undergoing repairs and renovation at the hands of Mr. T. Smart. The books are being catalogued by Mr. and Mrs. Mahon, and it is hoped that this will be completed this week. It has been suggested that entertainments be arranged toward the expense of removal and repairs. Mr. Smart has given his work on tlie building as a donation.

The local branch of the Women s Division met on March 28. The president, Mrs. Harris, gave a report on the meeethig of the executive committee which was held in Palmerston on January 31. She hoped to arrange for a few addresses to be given in the district during the winter. Last winter plans in this direction were upset by. the, preval-

ence of aiekness in the district. The annual meeting will be held at Oakura towards the end of this month. The hall eommittee met on March 31, when the annual meeting of subscribers took place. There was a fair attendance and the following committee was elected for the coming year: —Chairman, Mr. Guy Bell; secretary, Mr. C. J. Harris; committee, Messrs. R. Marsh, R. Davies, C. Jans, P. Telford, and C. West.