TEA, CONCEPT, AND DANCE AT GAPES’S VALLEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1740, 22 May 1888, Page 2

TEA, CONCEPT, AND DANCE AT GAPES’S VALLEY.

A gathering of the above description took place at Gapes’s Valley on Friday evening last in aid of tbe school funds. The Committee of this school do not do things by halves in their efforts to give l good compensation for the>r money to those who favor them with a visit, and Friday evening’s entertainment Was no exception to the rule. The amount of work spent upon the floral decorations of the room must have been considerable. The result was that the room looked more than usually pretty. A bountiful tea had been provided, and the four tables, which were presided over by Miss Menzies and Miss Howe, Miss Bray and Miss Tagg, Mrs Cameron and Mrs Lowe, Miss Taylor and Mias Alice Howe, were twice filled. B’uil justice having been done to the edibles, the tables were cleared away and the concert held. In the absence of Major Moore (the Chairman of the Com-

mittee), the chair was occupied by Mr W* M. Howe. The flrst item rendered was a gong by some of the chiM.-eu,

W'liqt the little things said,” The singing of the children was capital, and could only have been the result of a deal of patient training by their teacher, Miss Menzies, mistress of the .school. Each of the little also wore a wreath of flowers on her head, the combined effest

of which was pretty in the extreme. - Mr It, black received an encore for his sinemg of the negro song “ Ring the banjo.” Miss Andrews rendered the song “Kate O’Shane” capitally, and was followed by Mrs Burn and Mias Meredith with the d iet “The wind and 'he harp,” which looked a hearty round of applause. The i odition of the song “Surely,” by Miss Menziea was a treat to the audience, who '■■adly testified their pleasure. Mr W. M. ilowe rendered the song “Spring,” for .vhich he received an encore, but did not ■ i spend. Mr Cochrane was very success* ul with the Scotch song “My heather ' hills.” Miss E. Meredith succeeded' a imirably with the song “Gates of the •vsst." Mr Herdman was loudly ap* 1 lauded for his singing of “ Flow gentlyj cveet Afton.” 4. recitation by Miss ’ Groves, “Love lightens labor,” which was capitally given, concluded the first prt of the programme. The second part was opened by a cantata rendered by.thtchildren, “The May Queen,” which was v 'ry prettily performed. Mias Andrews f cured a unanimous encore for her sing* i g “ Five o’clock in the morning,” bnt rid not respond. Miss A. Howe, recited “ Barbara Frietohie ” in a capital manner. Mr Cochrane was again successful with the song “Standard on the Braes of Mar,” The children then came on again with an amusing item, “ The burlesque band,” which caused great amusement, and the last verse of which had to be repeated, Mr Slack next rendered the song “ I'm off to Charlestown,” for which- he was loudly applauded. Mr Howe was ' very successful with the song “ Friar of Orders Grey." The gem of the evening, however, whs Miss Menzies’ singing of “ Coming thro’ the rye," which secured i her an imperative encore, and the last verse was repeated. Mr Herdman had to respond to an encore for bis singing of “Farewell to Stirling,” and gave “My Nannie’s awa,” Mr Guilbert contributed the song and step dance “ Tim Finnigan’s wake,” the last verse of which he bad to repeat. This finished the programme, and the usual votes of thanks to the ‘ singers and those who had assisted at the gathering were carried by acclamation. The accompanists « ere the Misses Buck, Menziea, and Andrews, and Mrs Burn. The singing ef the national anthem cloved the concert, after which a dance was held. The music was supplied by Mr i. Healey, Mr A. Fergussou acting as M.C.