Kaitangata Relief Fund Benefit Concert.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3153, 27 March 1879, Page 3

Kaitangata Relief Fund Benefit Concert.

The concert organised by the members of the Grrabamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, in aid of the Kaitangata Relief Fund, took place last evening at the Academy of Music, and was an immense success. Mr C. Curtis, of the Pacific Hotel, with his customary liberality, gave the use of the hall free of all expense, and the arrangements for the entertainment were entirely carried out by the Fire Brigade, to whom great credit is due. The Scottish Band .having played an overture, Fireman Comes sang, with great feeling, "Mother Kiss'd me in my Dreams," and Miss Hunter followed with the pretty song "Esmeralda." A vociferous encore was demanded, and in vesponse she sang "Birdie's Come," which likewise pleased the audience. Mr H. Robinson sang ''The Anchor's Weighed," which was followed by a duett by Messrs Airey and^Weston, "The Army and Navy." That fine piece of vocal music was done full justice to by these gentlemen, and was favorably received. Mrs Kilgour delighted the audience with her rendition of ''IlBacio," which she sang in a very finished manner, and was encored. .She then sang a pretty song " Gathering up the Shells," in which her sweet voice was heard to advantage. Mr McLiver was irresistibly funny in his albnm of comic songs. His local song re.the Dredge was very amusing. In the , encore he sung an extempore composition I referring to the foibles of several persons j in the audience. Fireman Wright's song was also well received. Mrs Poutotara sang very nicely the.song allotted to her. Mrs Payne sang the " Blind Girl to her Harp," and had to respond to an encore. This concluded the first part of the performance, add after a short interval, during which the Scottish Band played, Mr Basham came forward and sang the French national air " Partant Pour la Syrie," which created great amuiement, and in response to an encore from the " gods" he gave " Poor Dog Tray." Mrs Kilgour followed next with the ballad, "I heard a voice," and, if any: thing, exceeded her previous efforts. The '• Tillage Blacksmith," sung by Mr Wes-, ton, was well received. Miss Hunter, with considerable feeling, sang a ballad, after which Mr McLiver amused the audience for some time by his songs, " Tim Flatherty " and " Brown the Tragedian." Simple ballads, seemed to please the audience more than higher class music, and Mrs Payne's " Eileen Allanah" was greatly appreciated. In answer to an enthusiastic encore she sang "Far Away " very sweetly. . The duet " Voices of the' Night," 1 by Mrs Kilgour and Miss Hunter was very beautifully rendered, the roices of the fair singers blending in great harmony. His Worship the Mayor, at the request of the Fire Brigade, thanked ,the audience for their their attendance, and said it was very gratifying to the Brigade Lo find their efforts in such a cause so well supported. It was expected that over thirty pounds would be added to the funds being collected throughout New Zealand for the relief of the widows and orphans of the men killed in the Kaitangata mine. He asked the audience to accord a vote of thanks— which was willingly responded to by acclamation—to the ladies and gentlemen who had given their services in the performance, to the Band of the Scottish Battalion, and Mr C. Curtis. Fireman Wright's song, the "Irish Emigrant," concluded the programme.