TEMUKA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2143, 30 December 1890, Page 3

TEMUKA CALEDONIAN SOCIETY.

ANNUAL CONCERT. The directors of the Caledonian Society spare no pains to make everything they undertake enjoyable, and in all things study the comfort of the public for whose amusement they so energetically cater. This was particularly noticeable at the concert which followed the Boxing-Day sports. Under the active supervision of Mr D. Henry, one of the vice-presidents of "the society,Messrs Allan, Telvin,Newbury, and Mogridge, with the assistance of a workman or two, the otherwise barren drillshed was transformed into a comfortable concert room. A commodious stage, handsomely draped, was erected at the east end of the building, access to which was obtained from the dressing rooms, and the body of the hall was seated in suet a manner that little trouble was experienced in accommodating the. largest audience that haß yet assembled in the building; Unfortunately the acoustic properties of the hall are none of the best, and some of the Bongs were not heard to advantage at the lower end of the building. This caused some slight interruption from the younger portion of the audience at the earlier part of the programme, but their better sense won prevailed, or perhaps the very excellent music "soothed their troubled breasts," and caused them to behave in more decorous fashion as the evening advanced. Caledonian Societies claim that they have an educational tendency, at least as far as. music is concerned. This may be considered true of our local society, which h?s from its inauguration done much to elevate the musical taste ol the people by giving them an opportunity of hearing some of the best available talent. That their effort* are approciated was evinced by the cordial reception given to the several performed at the Tate concert. The programme, which was delayed for a few minutes, commenced with a trio, • Scottish Airs,' by Messrs Sidney Wolf (piano), E. Wood (violin), E. "Wood (violoncello). This was a charming arrangement ©f the best known airs, both grave and gay, and the audience were in thorough sympathy with the performers, who were heartily applauded. Mr David Campbell followed with a selection on the bagpipes, which was well received by a Bection of the audience. Even those who may not consider the pipes the choicest of musical instruments, cannot fail to appreciate the spirit which pipers invariably throw into their playing. Mr Toshach of Timaru, was not heard to advantage in his song • Lang Lang Syne,' he sang with considerable expression and good taste, but his voice was not strong enough for the building. In fact, only those well up to stage were able to hear him. By these, however, he was applauded. His second song,' Dublin Bay,' shared the Bame fate. Miss Fanny Martin, whose debut before a Temuka audience was made three years ago when she created a very favorable impression, was received very warmly when she was escorted upon the stage by the president, who stated that in place of 'McDonald's Lament,' which appeared upon ' the programme, she would sing 'Hoist the flag of Scotland.' The ' latter song was given with much spirit, and it was evident that the ' singer's style and voice have been j assiduously cultivated since her first appearance. In response to an encore ' sne sang with great expression • The ' dear little Shamrock.' Mr Hosie, a ' singer of typical Scotch songs, sang 1 My Hieland Hame' with vigor and expression, and was loudly applauded. His fine voice, with its true Scotch accent, was also heard to advantage in his second song ' My ain dear Nell,' a" charming ballad that evidently pleased > the audience. Mr W, E. Stuart danced the sword dance with spirit and grace, after which Miss Hardy, of Wellington, sang ' Eobin Adair.' To this plaintive song she did every justice. She possesses a highly cultivated soprano voice and sings with evident eaße. Iu response to most demonstrative applause she sang a pretty rippling song * Love has eyes.' Mr Black who possesses a powerful voice, acquitted himself very creditably in a some what trying song ' A Bandit's life is tbelife for me.' Later he sang with some martial expression ' ihe battle of Stirling.' Eor both items he was applauded. Miss Spensley's appearance was the signal for an outburst of applause, her reputation having preceded her. In place of ' Nannie, wilt thou gang wi' me ' she sang ' The last rose of summer' with such tender feeling that she was promptly recalled. Her encore song, • Whustle and I'll come tae ye my lad,' was given with much archness, and caught the fancy of the audience. Master Smith danced the Sean Iriuthias admirably, after which Sergeant-Major Jones sang ' Queen of the Earth.' This is certainly one of Pinsuti's best songs, and it was rendered with considerable taste and expression. Apart from the possession of a voice naturally strong and now cultivated the singer has a good appreciation of the poetry of the songs be selects. This was even more marked in * My heather hills,' to which he did every justice. Both songs were applauded. Ihe pretty old English song, ' Tell me, my heart," -was beautifully sung by Miss Hardy, who rendered its several difficult pas- j sageß very aasily and naturally. As a \ consequence she had to respond to an I

encore. This was the last item of the first part of the programme- Mr J. Mabin opened the second part with a selection on the pipes, and displayed no mean skill. A trio by Messrs Wolf, E. Wood, and E. Wood was the next item. This time a selection of Irish airs was played. Needless to say the performance was a finished one. Miss Martin sang 'Doon the Burn, Davie,' and being recalled " O' a' the airts the wind can blaw.' Iu both she displayed a nice appreciation of the character of the songs. Mr Stuart's littie pupils, Masters Smith and Peddie, again danced, after which Miss Spensley sang ' The land o' the leal' in a most touching manner. As a contrast, on being encored she sang ' The donkey-cart ride,' a humorous little ballad that pleased the audience highly. The reel o' Tulloch was then danced by Messrs Banks and Stuart, and Masters Peddie and Smith with much spirit, and was evidently enjoyed quite as mueh by the performers as by the onlookers, Miss Hardy sang ' Home, Sweet Home' with much feeling, and again gracefully complied with the desire of the audience by singing ' Good Bye.' The programme was brought to a close by the whole of the performers assembling upon the stage, with the president, Mr A. M. Clark, the vice-presidents, Messrs Quinn and Henry, and several of the directers, and ' Auld Lang-Syne' was most heartily sung, the audience rising and joining in the chorus with much gusto. The accompaniments were played by Mr Sidney Wolf, with the exception of those of Miss Hardy, who was accompanied by her sister. Messrs G. H. Mogridge(secretary), D. Henry, A. E. Allan, C. J. Newbury, ) E. Pinckney, J. Lawson, W. McLeod, A. Bisset, and J. W. Velvin acted as stewards, and gaie valuable assistance in seating the large audience.

THE DANCE

After the concert a dance took place iu the This attracted such a large attendance that dancing was almost an impossibility. However, it was kept up with much spirit until the small hours. Music was supplied by Mr J. Eigoni, and Mr A. Bisset made a most efficient M.O.