ST. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON,

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 223, 16 December 1897, Page 2

ST. PETER'S CHURCH, HAMILTON,

SALE OF ■WOIIK. This sale of work in connection with St. Peter's Church can only be described as a huge success. The management was put into the proper hands, and the committee of ladies who worked so hard must be complimented on their achievement. One cannot help thinking how strange it is that these ladies, who aie ever ready and willing to spend their time and money in the interests of their church, should have little or no say in its government. However, want of space prevents us discussing tins subject just now, and it will have to be laid aside. The articles submitted for sale were mostly of a useful nature, and they were readily placed among the many visitors who attended during tne day. Nearly eveiy thing was cleared by closing time, and the church fund was augmented to the extent of about £2B, which must be deemed highly satisfac tory, when one considers the many calls made upon the public purse just at this season ot the year. A delicious afternoon tea was dispensed by a number of the lady members of the congregation, who were kept busily employed throughout the sale. THE CONCERT. The concert io the evening was a delightfully novel entertainment and the originality displayed by those by whom it was organised was quite refreshing. MiBS Sandes, who undertook the arrangement of the whole show, departed from the beaten track, and many flattering encomiums have been uttered on the result of her labours. The only matter for regret is that so much time and trouble should have been spent and such an excellent programme prepared for such a small return, for although the hall was fairly well fi led, the low prices of admission charged considerably reduced the proceeds. However, Miss Sandes is rewarded with the consolation that her patrons were highly delighted with the concert. An Orchestra consisting of Miss Newell, Miss C. Le Quesne, Miss Wrh/ht, Dr. Kenny, and MtssiS T. H. White, S. Harker, S. Meachcm, J. S. Kdgecumbe, Jas. Drury, Stuart, JI. Tiis'ram, G. Pearson and J. Reid, under the condttctorship ot Mr J. II- Edward's discoursed delightful music at intervals during the ovening. Seme of the items p'aved were : " Rcgina," " Watch Parade." a pretty little gavotte (nart.e unknown) a collection of Irish airs and the wa'tz, " Whisper and I Shall Hear," which almost made one fo-gtt that the mercury was bubbling up somewhere among the seventies and long for a clear room and a good partner. Wo are requested to thank the musicians for their very valuable assistance. AH the accompaniments were played by Miss Sandes in a manner which coald not fail to inspire confidence in the performers. The first of the dramatised songs was the plantation meody " Put It Is So," sung by Mr Macssey. The scene was a picuic, and most realistic it looked. The song and chorus was nicely rendered and a most emphatic encore was de minded Mrs Whitaker followed with " The Beautiful Gate," a charming little song, feelingly rendered. The singer was in good form, and has seldom ap peared to better advantage before a Hamilton audience. An enthusiastic reecutiou awaited the dramatised song " Dolly's Revenge," in which Miss Cecille LeQucsne and Mr A. E. Manning took part, the solo being nicely sung by Mrs Whitaker. Mr Macasscy recited " Lasca," most effectively, and this was followed by the living statue "' Niobe and Her Daughter," (Misfcs N. and M. O'Neill), which was one of the most pleasing items on the programme. Mr Lloyd, of Taupiri, then introduced his comic song ■' At My Time of Life," with marked success, and was vociferously encored for his effort. Miss Cecille LeQuesne's " Song of Sleep," rendered in a charming maimer, was received with great enthusiasm, and the audience was much disappointed at not hearing a further instalment from this gifted young lady in response to an earnest recall. Among the dramatised songs " Tit For Tat " was generally conceded to be the gem. Mrs Whitaker sang tlie solo, and the acting of Miss J. Kdgecumbe and Mr Macassey, but more particularly that of the lady, was greatly admired. The item was most heartily received by the audience, and had to be repeated. Mr Lloyd again scored heavily in " She Always Dressed in Black," his get-up being really splendid, and he was compelled to repeat the last verse. The three Gipsy scenes—the camp, fortunetelling, and the Cachuca dance—were most effectively arranged, and the gay-co'oured dresses of the ladies had a most pleasing effect. The Cachuca danced by Miss Clara Holloway and Master Allan Hume, provoked a storm of applause. The diminutive exponents of the terpsichorean art executed the various movements in perfect time, and one might say faultlessly, and the audience would not be satisfied until the performance had been repeated. The favourite plantation quartette, " Far Away Over Dere," by Mies A. Sandes, Mrs Whitaker and Messrs J. S. and Geo. Edgeeunibc concluded one of the most pleasing entertainments it has been our lot to attend for a long time.