CONCERT AT PRISON

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1940, Page 2

CONCERT AT PRISON

TO AID PATRIOTIC FUND

Surprise at the talent displayed and at the excellence of the programme and appreciation of the spirit that prompted the "men on the hill" to raise funds for patriotic, purp.oses, expressed by Messrs. E. R. C. Gilmour, Mayor of New Plymouth,. P. Thomson, Mayor of Stratford, L. H, Clapham, Mayor of Hawera, and F. L. Frost, M.P. for New Plymouth, voiced the feelings of a large crowd at New Plymouth Reformatory on Tuesday on the opening night of the two-night season of a variety entertainment arranged and. presented by inmates for the Spitfire fund. • The progfamme comprised songs, serious, comic and character, Maori items, violin and trap-drum solos, comedy sketches, juggling and some clever work by a sketch artist, whose sketches added considerably to the fund. They were disposed of to the last person to throw coins on to the stage within a stipulated time, judiciously extended as the coins kept showering in. The programme was a lengthy one, encores extending it to over three hours, but it would have lasted longer if the public had its way. The accompaniments were played by Miss Hickland and Mr. Vinnicombe. After the National Anthem a welcome was extended by the superintendent, Mr. T. Stocker, who remarked that the large attendance showed that the public took great interest in the institution. At the conclusion appreciative reference was made to the excellence of the entertainment and the worthiness of its object, and to the arrangement of the stage, with its scenery beautifully painted by one of the inmates, by representative speakers, the hope . being expressed by one of them . that the proceeds would be commensurate with the effort. The entertainment had been the outcome of spontaneous effort on the part of the men themselves, said Mr. Stocker in expressing thanks for the appreciative remarks. The men had derived pleasure both in arranging the entertainment and in putting it on for patriotic purposes. So far, apart from the sale of programmes, over £15 had been arranged. He paid a tribute to the work of the artist, who in his own time and at considerable inconvenience had painted the scenery and stage effects, all having been done in a fortnight. Mr. Stocker also thanked those who had assisted. Without the help and encouragement given by Mr. Stocker it would not have been possible to arrange the entertainment, remarked one of the artists. It was announced that the men had made a valuable rug, the material of which had cost £4, and which would be disposed of in aid of the patriotic funds. The programme, with some changes, will be repeated to~night.