NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 380, 22 November 1898, Page 4

NGARUAWAHIA.

Debating Club.—The third session of this Sosiety was brought to a close on Thursday'the 17th, by a Variety and Christy Minstrel Entertainment. On the whole the session has been a fairly successful one, although the Committee have had to contend with unusual difficulties. The stage for the final evening was very pretty, and was the result of the labours of the Rev. A. M. Bradbury. The programme opened with an overture entitled " Defiance, 1 ' by the Orchestra, which consisted of eight instruments. The Rev. Mr Bradbury, who was in excellent voice, then sang " A "Wet Sheet And Flowing Sea " ; Miss Butcher followed with the song " The Morn Of Love," which was nicely rendered. The next item was a vocal duet, entitled " At Eventide," given by Mr W. and Miss Paterson, and was evidently much appreciated. Miss Clayton then sang "Love's Old Sweet Song" very nicely, and was followed by the duet, " The Two Cousins," by Misses Paterson and Miss Grace Butcher, who gave it in a pleasing style. The first part of the programme concluded with the comic song, " At My Time Of Life," by Mr A. J. Simmelhag, whose get-up in particular, greatly amused the audience, who gave him a most imperative encore, to which he responded with "My First Wife." After an interval of five minutes, the second part opened with an overtare, " Present Arms," by the Orchestra. The VVaipa Minstrels then gave their entertainment, consisting of Negro songs and the customary jokes. One noticeable feature was that the jokes and conundrums, most of which were really good local ones, were unusually free from vulgarity. At the conclusion, the hall was cleared and dancing was indulged in till the small hours of the morning. Refreshments were provided during the dance, and altogether, a very pleasant evening was spent.— (Own Correspondent).