TEA AND CONCERT AT HILTON.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1616, 9 August 1887, Page 2

TEA AND CONCERT AT HILTON.

A most successful tea meeting and concert was held in the Hilton schoolroom on Friday evening last. A really excellent tea had been provided. The tables, of which there were five, were presided over by the following ladies Misses Christina Meredith, A. Beattie, and M. Leary; Miss Eooke; Miss Bruce; Miss Tindall; Miss Earl. A large number of persons sat down to tea, the tables being twice well filled. Ample justice having been done to the repast, the room was arranged for the concert. This was an unqualified success both in point of attendance, and as regards the performance. The schoolroom was crowded to excess, many having to stand. The Rev. G. Barclay occupied the chair, and in a very humorous and pleasing manner opened,the concert. While doing so he said he would not make an election speech there, but he would give them one word of warning, and that was to have nothing to do with those men who in any way desired to curtail their present free system of education. He strongly urged upon those present to reserve their votes for those candidates who would keep the present free system in its entirety. (Applause). The first item on the programme was a pianoforte duet by Miss Poster, “ The Pirates of Penzance,” which was loudly applauded. The next piece was a glee by four of the schoolchildren, “Far away,” which was very sweetly given. Mr W. Coltman, junr’s., fine bass voice was heard to great advantage in the everpopular song “ Sailing.” The Misses Meredith gave the duet “ What are the wild waves saying ” in a really pretty manner. Mr A. S, Brooker was very successful in the song “ Uncle Joe,” and was followed by a recitation by Mr Hiskens. Mr W. Stonehouse came next with the song “The Rose and the Shamrock,” for the singing of which he was loudly applauded. The duet, “ The minute gun at sea,” by Messrs Aitken and Coltman, was capitally given, the voices blending beautifully. Mr Burn sang in good voice the pretty song “ True till death,” and Miss E. Meredith was very successful in the ever-popular song “ Cornin’ through the rye,” and received a well deserved encore, responding with “ And ye shall walk in silk attire. Mr Cochrane followed with “ Killarney,” for which he was loudly applauded. Mr Aitken sang the well-known song“ Annie Laurie,” and received a round of hearty applause. Mr Musgrave sang in character a parody on the negro song “ The golden slippers,” for which he was heartily encored. Three “ foreigners ” then gave an instrumental performance (bones, violin, and piano), which caused a great amount of fun, and was encored. After an interval of ten minutes Miss Foster opened the second part of the programme with a pianoforte duet “The fairy waltz,” part of which was sung, and for which she was loudly applauded. The glee by the children, “ Eulalie,” was prettily sung. Mr Aitken caused great amusement with the comic recitation “The Frenchman and the valentines,” Mr P. Skinner gave a comic song, “ The history of the world,” which was loudly encored and responded to. Mr Musgrave again sung another of his pypular negro songs. Mr Cochrane gave in firstclass style the song “ The charming young widow I met in the train.” Recitation, Mr W. Coltman. Miss Meredith next sang “ Stars shine on his pathway” capitally. Mr H. HunterBrown played a solo on the ocarina beautifully, and was heartily encored. Mr Musgrave sang “ Do Dah,” and was encored. The three “ Foreigners ” then came on again with their usual success. This was the last item on the programme, and Mr Cochrane proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided and assisted at the tea. Mr J, Kelland, junr., proposed a vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who had assisted at the concert, especially thanking Miss Foster for accompanying the singers on the piano, Mr R. Skinner, Chairman of the School Committee, thanked those present for their attendance and the help they had rendered the Committee in paying off the balance. Mr Barclay then referred to the manner in which the Committee had worked in the matter of re-roofing the school. The manner in which they had put their hands in their pockets towards the amount required was much to their credit, and an excellent example to many other Committees, who were only too ready to look to the Board of Education for any works required. The singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” terminated a thoroughly successful and most enjoyable concert. The singers were accompanied by Misses Foster and Meredith, and Mr Musgrave. A dance was held afterwards,, at which there was a large attendance, and dancing was kept up until nearly daylight. 1