CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1326, 11 April 1885, Page 3

CONCERT AT GERALDINE.

The concert on Wednesday evening in aid of the funds of the Geraldine Cricket Club, though not the success it might have been, passed off very well. The attendance was not large, the hall not being more than two-thirds full. The dark evening and the threatening state of the weather may have had something to do with this. The hall was simply but neatly decorated for the occasion; this having been carried out under the superintendence of Mr Lodge. Mr W. M. Moore, captain of the Cricket club, occupied the chair. There were one or two slight alterations in the programme, owing to the unavoidable absence of some of the performers, The concert was opened by an overture on the piano by Miss Fish, which was executed with the taste and finish for which that lady is so wall known. Mr Lodge, who was in good voice, followed with the song " NaDcy Lee," for which he received well-earned applause. In the second part of tho programme Mr Lodge gave "The Sentry" and " I Fear no Foe," which were also well rendered. Mrs Porteous was rewarded with an enthusiastic encore for the manner in which she sang " Ever More," and in reponse repeated the last verse. This lady later on sang '• Alas ! those Chimes," again receiving a recall, and responded in a similar manner. Miss Taylor's pretty voice was heard to advantage in the song " Chime Again, Beautiful Bells," which was rendered in a pleasing manner. This was followed by the duet " Come with thy Lute to the Fountain," by Mrs Glass and Miss Andrews, which was well received. Mr'.Evans, who is possessed of a powerful tenor voice, was not heard to advantage, as he was suffering from severe hoarseness, but he nevertheless rendered the •" Pilgrim of Love" in a manner which called forth an encore, the last verse being given as a response. In the second part "Once Again" was given by the same gentleman. The pretty song "Summer," by Miss Hodges/was followed by Miss Boswell singing " As you like it," in a manner which pleased everyone. Mr Clinch's comic song in the first part of the programme was very appropriate, now that the volunteer movement is rife in Geraldine, and of course took immensely. In response to the encore demanded for " Captain Ls-di-da-di-do," he gave "If I was only long enough." This brought the first part of the programme to a close. After ten minutes' interval, Miss Fish opened the second part by a pretty piece on the piano, " The Musical Box," cleverly executed, and which received loud applause. Miss Andrews, who has lately been suffering from a severe cold, nevertheless sang "When the Swallows Homeward j?ly," in a pleasing manner. The Bong " Rothesay Biy" was well rendered by Mrs Glass. Tnis was followed by " The Schoolmaster" by Miss Boutcher. This young lady is but ten years of age, but her singing and acting is really Bplendid, and at the conclusion of the song the little singer received quite an ovation, in response Miss Boutcher gave a song, the name of which we did not learn, but it was quite as popular as the former one, and elicited great applause at the close. Miss Boutcher was accompanied by Miss Buck on the piano. Miss Fish was accorded a well-merited encore for the manner in which she sang " Masks and Faces." As a response she sang "The Brook and the Wave." When the last item on the programme had been sung, Mr Moore ascended the platform and proposed, on behalf of the Cricket Club, a bearty vote of thanks to the singers, several of whom had come from a distance; The speaker bore testimony to the kindness of the Geraldine singers, who were always willing to come forward when their services were required. Mr Moore also asked for a special vote of thanks to Miss Fish, who had played the accompaniments, and who had neither spared time or trouble to make the concert a success. A word of thanks was also due to Master Fred. Fish, who had played the accompaniments to Mr Clinch's sougs, Mr Moore jocularly remarking it was not the first time ho had done good service in playing for the cricket club. The votes were curried by acclamation. The singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. After the hall had been cleared, a dance was held, which was kept up with spirit till far into the small hours. The sum netted from the proceeds of the concert will form a valuable addition to the funds of the cricket club.