The Hauraki Club Concert.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3351, 18 September 1879, Page 2

The Hauraki Club Concert.

The long talked of concert in connection with the Hauraki Club took place last night at the Academy of Music. All parts of the gallery and stalls were crowded with a fashionable audience, but the pit was poorly attended. After the opening chorus, which was Wallace's beautiful " Sing Pretty Maiden " (from Maritana), Mr G. K. Phillips came forward and delivered a brief introductory and explanatory address. He said the Club they proposed forming was to be under Good Templar management, and no intoxicating drinks would be provided, but they hoped to make it attractive by proriding reading and smoking rooms, and a piano if the state of the funds permitted it. The undertaking would be available to abstainers and non-abstainers alike. He thanked the public for the large attendance. The singing programme wasthen proceeded with. Mr Meachem sang "Madoline" very nicely, and was followed by Mesdames Payne and Kilgour, who rendered a duett from " Norma." These ladies sang vary well together, and their effort were highly appreciated. Mr Hilton gave the descriptive Jsena "The Desert," and received a'fwelldeserved encore. One of the gems of the. evening was Miss Murrish's rendition of song " Let me dream again" (Sullivan). The comic parody to airs from Pinafore (written by Mr K. A. JR. Owen), was well sung by Mr K. B. McGregor. The piece comprised the tunes "Ring the Merry Belts," " The Maiden and the tar," and others which in these days of Pinafore mania are " all the rage." The song gave great amusement, and an encore was demanded to which the singer responded by singing the Admiral's famous song " When I was a lad." Mrs Kilgour sang " The Goat Bells," and the first part of the programme concluded with the singing of the " What Mystery," chorus from "Maritana." In the second part Mr Halliwell being unwell was unable to deliver his recitation, and Major Withers acted as a substitute, singing the aria " Hear me gentle Maritaiia," from Wallace's favorite opera. This was followed by a duet—" Of Fairy Wand," by Mr and Miss Coney, and a song by Mrs Payne " Let the Angels in." The latter was encored, and the lady sang the ever favorite " Killarney." The next item on the programme was a pretty duet by Mrs Macky and Miss Day, " The Swallows," by Abt, which also received an encore. Mr Wiseman created great amusement in " Widow Macree/'and as an encore sang another comic song, " Simon the Cellarev." After a trio by Mesdames Payne and Kilgour, and Mr Hilton, Mr Turner sang the buffo song " Four Jolly Smiths," which was re-demanded. It was this gentleman's first appearance before a Thames audience, and we hare uo doubt but that his services will be in constant requisition for concerts for charitable purposes. The performance concluded with another chorus from " Marilana." Mr Owen played the accompaniments in hia usual excellent style. The affair was most enjoyable, and was a success, both financially and otherwise.

A ltoickotts scene occurred at an auction sale being conducted by Mr K. N. Hopkins, at Kowai Pass, a few days ogo, aud might have had a serious termination only for the pluck and presence of mind disputed by the auctioneer. A bull, 11 Lord John," was sole occupant of one yard, atrd the auctioneer was going towards him backwards, describing him as an animal " capable of being led by hi» owner's smallest child." All at once the brute made a rush at him, Mr Hopkins catching him by the horns, A short struggle ensued and the bull tossed him towards the rsils, which he mounted in a style that would have done credit to an acrobat. When safely perched on the top rail the auctioneer gave " Lord John " a pedigree (amid roars of laughter), which, however, does not appear in the New Zealand Herd Book.

Commodobe Wilson, of H.M.S. Wolverine, hat sent one of his crew to gaol for forty-two days, because he disobeyed the order,' .Cease firing,' when an attack was made on the St. Christoral satires, the sailor fired a shot after the bugle call..

" AuatTE " in his review of the Melbourne Cup weights, selects Democrat, Strathern Dam well, South Hamilton, Soothsayer, and Belladrum, as the homes whose chance of victory at present impress him most favorably. ■

Highwaymen—Employes ou the elc rated railway.

attention. A closer analysis and a more regular arrnngmeat will be found in future communications. The Australian Court will give visitors a very fair idea of the beauty and the productions of the coun- i try and its value as a place for settlement, and to this end nothing will contribute co much as Pr. Hector's valuable "Handbook of New Zealand," published by direction of the Eoyal Coiatnissiouors for New Zealand.