TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2230, 21 July 1891, Page 3

TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT;

The annual entertainment in connection with the Temuka District High School took place on Friday evening in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. The weather was far from propitious, but the attendance was very good notwithstanding. The first part of the programme was performed solely by pupils of the school, and opened with two action songs, “ Were I a Bird,” and “ Would You Know How Does the Farmer?” These were very creditably performed under the leadership of Miss Phillips. Miss Laura Copestake took the place of Miss Annie Nicholas, who was taken ill after the programme was arranged, and recited “ Dolly’s Christening ” in a very pleasing manner, after which Misses R. Goodey and A. Cooper, and Masters F. Olliver and R. Longston recited “If I Were a King,” and received hearty applause. Miss Lilian and Master Cecil Brown played a violin duet in a very careful manner, accompanied upon the piano by Mr James Harrison. Later op they agaiu displayed their culture in this line, and were applauded. Misses Mclnnes, E. Lynch, E. Watt, and Masters H. Smith and J. Duncan were very successful with the dialogue “The Would-be Wanderers,” and Miss Lottie Gaze for the recitation “Barbara Frietchie,” a story of the American War, and Master Donald McCaskill for “ Our Folks,” were deservedly applauded. Both dis-. played ability, and reflected much credit upon Mr Farnie’s tuition. The senior pupils, conducted by Mr Bryars, the head master, sang the part songs “Our Ancestors,” “ ’Tis Foreordained,” “ Cuckoo Song,” and “A hunting We Will Go,” in capital style, the greatest attention being paid to time and shade. After a brief interval the second part was commenced with a glee “ Around the Maypole Tripping,” by the Glee Club lately organised by the Rev. Father Aubrey. This was a capital performance, as was also “A Garland for our Fairest,” which was sung later.on. Miss Quinn played the accompaniments for the glee party as well as for several other singers in a very tasteful style. The Rev. J. Dellow, who Avas Avell received, sang, to Mrs Dblloav’s accompaniment, “ The Little Hero,” to which he gave excellent expression. He Avas heartily applauded. Miss F. Guy Avas set doAvn upon the programme for the pretty song “ A Summer shoAver,” but substituted the more pathetic piece, “ The Song that Reached my Heart.” This Avaswell suited to her voice, and pleased the audience very much, Mr J. McCaskill followed Avith “ Wrecked and Saved,” a capital descriptive song, to Avhich he did full justice. He Avas accompanied by Miss Guy upon the piano, Mr George Hescott, a stranger to Temuka audience, although suffering from a severe cold, received an encore for “ Good-bye SAveetheart, Goodbye,” and responded by singing Avitli even greater success “ Ora pro Nobis.” Mr W. M. Storey Avas indisposed and unable to sing the song allotted him. The Rev. T. A. Hamilton’s powerful voice Avas heard to advantage in the song “ Anchored,” Avhich he sang to an, accompaniment played by Mrs Herbert. He Avas heartily applauded. Mr F. B, Early, in darkey costume, sang “Uncle Fete’| Peculiarities,” and made a decided hit. To an imperative encore he responded by singing “Complaints.” Mr McCarthy, accompanied by Miss Quinn upon the piano, played a violin solo, “ The Cloches de Cornville,” Avhich Avas perhaps the most enjoyable item of the evening. An interval, nominally of ten minutes but considerably protracted, folloAved, during Avhich the children were regaled Avith coffee and cake, kindly given by friends, and dispensed by Mrs Gaze, assisted by Misses Storey and Orton. After all had been served the curtain rose upon the homely comedy, “ Domestic Economy.” This was staged under difficult circumstances, the scene representing a back parlor and shop in the residence of Mr and Mrs Grumley, situated in the picturesque village of Eatanswill. Although the Volunteers have a very limited amount of scenery Mr Gaze, avlio acted as stage manager, assisted by Mr Levens, Avho yvorked most enthusiastically, managed to give a very good idea of the scene, although it was rather cramped. The part of Mr John Grumley Avas inimitably played by Mr Geo, Levens, and Miss Ada Erwood displayed great histrionic talent in her representation of his spouse. Miss Goodey and Miss M. Goodey took respectively the parts of Mrs Knagley and Mrs Shackles, tAvo village gossips, and although they had little to do they made every point capitally. Miss R. Goodey as “Peggy BroAvn ” Avas also good. Mr E. Chapman played the part of Sergt. Tom BroAvn very realistically, and Master Arnold Cooper made a capital “ Joey.” The performance kept the audience in roars of laughter, and Avas undoubtedly one of the best played comedies yet put upon the Temuka stage by amateurs. Although dealing Avith a phase of common life there Avas nothing loav or offonsive about it, and its repetition Avould attract a large audience. The thanks of the committee are due to the singers and performers for their services, and

,special thanks should be accorded to Mr Geo. Levens for his several labors, and to Mr F. B. Early, who in addition to singing, lent valuable aid in preparing the coffee, &c., for the children, and in many other ways.