PAEROA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3847, 28 April 1881, Page 2

PAEROA.

(f BOM i COBEESPONDENT.)

Paeboa v This day. CONCERT IN. AID OF THE

CATHOLIC CHURCH

The concert and drama held last evening in the public hall, Paeroa, in aid of the building fund of the Catholic Church, was well attended, and proved a great success. An excellent programme was arranged by the committee, and was faithfully carried out, the efforts of the several singers being warmly applauded by the audience. The first piece on the programme calling Jbr special mention was the'"Boll Call" (which .has beenimmortalised by Miss Thompson on canvas), and was excellently rendered'by Mr Brown, the accompaniment being played by Miss Belciicr. Then followed a.piano duet, and "The Men of flarlech," song simultaneously Jby a few of the local amateurs. The next in order, but first ii merit, . was " A Flower from Mother's Grave," suug for the first time by Miss Swan ia the Thames district, which took the audience by storm, and fairly brought down the house. In response to a vociferous encore, she complied by giving one of her humorous ditties, which prove so palatable to the majority of concert habitues. " The Dear Little Shamrock" was sweetly rendered by Miss Milgrew, and was warmly received by the audience. The first part of the programme" concluded with the drama of "Alfred the Great," the dramatis persons* of which comprised Misse.-) Swan and Mcllhone and a few juveniles. Mr Brown's name w.as again set opposite an excellent selection in the second part—•'• The heart bowed down," from the opera of the Bohemian Girl, and he did ample justice to it, the accompaniment being ably played by Miss Belcher. A piano duet followed by Misses N. Mahoney and Twohill, the execution of which testified to the excellent musical education being received by them. A vocal duet by Mrs Sefton, and Miss Milgrew came next, Miss Bolton. accompanying on the piano, and Mr Dewor on the violin. The announcement by.' the Chairman that Miss Swan was to sing •• Jessie's Dream " was the signal for a loud burst of applause, which intensified as the selection porgressed, and reached the "culminating point at the finish. It is needless to add thrt this ballad, which is an episode of the relief of Luoknow was done ample justice to,, and again called forth a well-merited encore. "St. Patrick's Day" piano solo by Miss A. Mcllhone was so well played that she substituted " Auld Lang Syne, in response to a recall. " Now pray we for our country," was sung simultaneously by Misses Dewer, Littlejoho, and a few

other local 'amalean. The concert was brought to a close with the singing of "Eillarney" by Miss Swan, which again brought down the house. The audience would not be satisfied without an encore, when "Maggie's Secret" was given in response, which equalled her previous efforts. Father O'Reilly returned thanks and the National Anthem by the assembly brought the affair to a close.