WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2673, 16 June 1894, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

A grand miscellaneous entertainment in aid of the funds of the above Church, was given in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Thursday evening. The programme published in connection therewith prepared the audience for an unusually enjoyable and in this expectation they were by no means disappointed. Unfortunately the attendance was not nearly so large as the merits of the entertainment justified. This was ■ doubtless due to the very heavy drain that has been made upon the pockets of the community by the number of enter- ' tain men ts already given th-'s winter. ( The stage was very prettily prepared, the * footlights, consisting of colored lamps partially shrouded in ferns, throwing a ' very pleasing light upon the Uew scenery. < The Key, Ms Standee-, who acted as * chairman, apologised for the absence of l Mr Qpje, qm\u tQ ijlneas, a,nd a,lso fqr a i slight cUange \n the programme. The j programme consisted of instrumental ' selections, songs, tableaux, and re- < citations. The instrumental selections ' by the Pearce Family, were, as usual, i playod with taste and expression, and thoroughly appreciated, and each item <■ was redemandod. Mr T. Poarce's violin i solos, " Lifo Let us Cherish " and a fan- i tasia on popular airs, wore particularly 1 enjoyed. Master CecU Brawn also t played a violin solo, In a stylo which > showed that ho is likely to become a 1 very proficient performer on this dif- f ficult instrument. Miss Howe recited i Tennyson's "Northern Fanner" capi- > tally, and later in tho ovening gave two J othors of an amusing character, receiving •' very hearty applause for them, Sho also 1 took part in a dialogue, " Returning i from the Wost Indies," with little Miss t Olivo Wright, who not only looked ro- t markably njco jti a sailor's costume, but t nH<> to<j>k hor part in tho seloction with c spirit and confidence. It is neodlesa to t say that thia dialoguo mot with a £

sympathetic reception. Mr Lowe's song, " Qui "Vive," was particularly well sung, and Mr Rutland has rarely been heard to such advantage as in his song, " The Mighty Deep." He was encored, and bowed his acknowledgments. MUs Lilian Brown's contribution to the programme, "An {Andalusian Maid/' was a difficult song sung in a manner that showed careful cultivation and taste. Mrs Harrison's appearance was warmly welcomed, and in response to an encore for her singing of ' "Dear Heart," she sang "The Lost Chord." Both songs were sung with much expression. A trio, "A Little Farm well Tilled," by Messrs Rutland, Harrison, and Low, was re-demanded, as was'* also a duet, in character, " Where are you going to, my Pretty Maid V in which the pretty maid's by-play was capital. A quartette," The Bluebells of [ Scotland," by Mesdames Harrison and Gapper and Messrs Harrison and Low, was also enjoyable. These were all the musical selections. The accompaniments were played by Mr Harrison and Miss Lilian Brown, and the performers were fortunate in having the use of an excellent Weisner pianoforte from Mr Harrison. The tableaux vivants were " The Battle on the Green" (from "David Copperfield,") " The Execution of Mary Queen of Scotß," " The Postman," "An Embassy of Love,"' "Help for the Wounded," and " A Scene in Napoleon's Life." The grouping and dressing in each was very good, and the curtain had to be raised on each scene two and three times. " The Battle on the Green" made a capital picture, and " The Embassy of Love" and the scene from Napoleon's life found much favor with the audienoe. The performers in the tableaux were Mesdames Harrison and Gapper, Misses ' Brown (2) and Butler; Master Cecil Brown, and Messrs H. M. Miles, Low, and Gapper, not forgetting Master Brown's pony, "Mac.," who conducted himself with much propriety. At the close of the entertainment Mr J. W. Miles proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the performers, making special mention of the Pearce Family, and the Misses Brown, who had laken infinite trouble in connection with the dresses, etc He also asked that in the vote the services of Mr Bates, who superintended the lighting, might be recorded, and specially thanked Mr Harrison for the use of the piano. Mr Collier moved a vote of thanks to "the showman." The votes were carried by acclamation, and the performance concluded with the National Anthem. This afternoon and evening a bazaar and gift auction will be held in the Drill Shed, when it is to be hoped there will be a large attendance.