CONCERT AT GAPES’ VALLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1304, 17 February 1885, Page 2

CONCERT AT GAPES’ VALLEY.

The concert in the schoolroom, Gapes’ Valley, on Friday evening, in aid of the fund for procuring prizes for the children, was as successful and satisfactory as could have been anticipated, The pretty little schoolroom was tastefully set off with floral decorations, a cross and a wreath being remarkably pretty. At the appointed hour for opening the concert the room was filled and those coming later on had to be content with standing room. Mr W. M. Moore, Chairman of the School Committee, very ably presided, and in a few brief remarks stated the object for which tbe entertainment was got up. He was glad to be able to say the object had been fully attained, the sale of tickets and the takings at the door having provided ample funds. He then called upon Miss Foster, of Geraldine, to play the overture, which was very tastefully executed. Mr Lodge followed with the song, “Sailing,” rendered in his well-known and popular style ; the was assisted by a company in the chorus, which had a very pleasing effect. Later on Mr Lodge also sang “The Gallants of England,” doing full justice to it. A glee company from Geraldine, Messrs Hughes and Eckford, and Misses Hamilton, Dunlop and Andrews, sang three glees. The first, “Hark I the Lark,” was pleasingly rendered and well received; “Dame Durden” met with an enthusiastic reception, and the company responded by singing the last verse ; their singing of “May Day” was also much appreciated. Miss Dunlop sang the pretty solo, “The Brook,” very nicely, and was followed by Mr Moore reading one of “ Mrs Caudle’s Curtain Lectures.” The subject of the lecture was a fancied slight on Mrs Caudle’s thrift and industry as a wife, when Mr Caudle remarked at the breakfast table that one of his shirt buttons was missing. The reading afforded great amusement. Mr Moore later on read a domestic tale, the characters delineated belonging to the reign of Queen Anne, The reading was rather long, but Mr Moore possesses a pleasing delivery, and the interest of the audience was fully kept up throughout. Mr and Mrs Greaves, of Woodbury, sang tbe duet, “Polaski’s Banner,” their voices blending together very well. Mr Logan, whose appearance was greeted with popular feeling, sang “Jack’s Yarn” in a manner which called forth an enthusiastic encore. Ho responded by singing a comic song, “Courting in the Rain,” which was received with deafening applause. Mrs Glass and Miss Andrews followed with the duet “ Oft in the Stilly Night” which was very pleasingly rendered. , The school children then sang a piece, which was so well performed that they had, in response to the encore demanded, to sing another. The children’s singing reflected much credit on their instructress, Miss Buck, the audience being unanimous in their praise of the manner in which the pieces were given. In the second part of the programme the children sang again, The recitation, “ Inchcape Ball,” very creditably given by Miss A, Grove*, brought the first part of the programme to a close. After an interval of ten minutes Miss Foster epened the second part by a piano solo. The nest piece on the programme proved to be the most popular of the evening. This was the song, “ The Schoolmaster,” by Miss Maud Boukcher. The little singer is but eleven years old, but her air of confidence on the stage would be a credit to a much older performer. She sang very correctly, and acted as if she belonged to the stage. At the conclusion of the song the applause was immense, and (be little singer had to respond, Mr, Slack followed with a hunting song, gang with the spirit of a genuine lover of the chase, and Mrs Greaves, accompanied by Mr Greaves on (lie piano, saag “The Skipper and His Boy” in a manner much appreciated. The trio, “Mark the Merry Elves,” by Mr Hughes, and Misses Hamilton and Andrews was well rendered, and was I

followed by recitations by Mis# Alice and Miss Edith Howe, both pieces being very creditably given. “ Wait till the Clouds/ roll by ” was well sung by Mr Qreavesr? The glee, “ May Day," then brought the somewhat lengthy programme to a close. Miss Foster and Miss Buck accompanied the various singers, and.it is needless to say to the satisfaction of ’everyone. The Chairman then rose and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who had come from a distance to assist in carrying out the evening’* entertainment. He specially mentioned the excellent services which the Glee Club and Miss Foster had rendered during the evening. Miss Foster hadbeen under a disadvantage, having to play accompaniments which‘she had not had sufficient time to practice. The Chairman also asked that a hearty vote of thanks should be passed to Miss Buck, the teacher of the school, for to her had been left the management of the concert and also the decorations of the room. Before closing the Chairman thought it only fair to the Geraldine singers, to refer to their kindness in responding to call for assistance to carry out similar entertainments this season in various parts of the district. The votes proposed by the Chairman were carried by acclamation as was a similar tribute to the Chairman. The singing of the National Anthem brought a most enjoyable entertainment to a close. Refreshments were then kindly handed to the visitors by Mrs Boutcher and Miss Gapes. After the room had been cleared a dance was held, which was kept up until a late hour.