OPENING OF NEW TOWN HALL NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume VII, Issue 488, 16 September 1899, Page 4

OPENING OF NEW TOWN HALL NGARUAWAHIA.

Aktck a considerable delay, the new Town Hall was formally opened ou Wednesday eveniug, the 13th inst. As for tlie Hull itself, the dimensions have already appeared in a previous issue of The Arm's, and there is no necessity to dwell on the structure, further than to lemurk that it has been fitted up with every convenience and now is a great credit to the township. Tne only fault that has been advanced i. gainst it is that it is too large for the township, and that a Ngarnawah'a oudience would be lost in it. However, long beforo eiirht o'clock a continuous stream of people had filled the hall from stage to door, and all the available seating accommodation was taken up, many finding some difficulty in obtaining standing room around the door. When the curtain rose the stage itself was a perfect p ; cture, the painting beiug the work of the Rev. A. M. Brad bury. Mr Bradbury ha 3 displayed no mean talent in thi* direction on several occasions, but his efforts this time surpassed any previously made _ 'l he first part of the programme consisted of a concert and the second part of a dramatic performance. The Town Board had been to considerable trouble to furnish Ngaruawahia with a musical treat. Among the performers may be mentioned Miss Featon and Mr Edgar Walton, whose abilities nre so well known to lovers of music i hat it is unnecessary to state that the presence of two such artists is quite suflicient to touch for the excellenc3 of the programme. The-other performers had come from surrounding districts, with the exception of Mr A. J Simmelhag who supplied the comic element, and without whom no local concert would be complete. Mr Fitzpitrick oocupied the chair. The programme was as follows :—Overture, Mr Ralph ; eonp, «' Friends," by Mr Dawson of Hunty, this item evoked much app'ause ; Miss Fcatou then followed with the eong, •' The. King's Own." wkich was throughly appreciated, and called forth a vigorous encore, to which she responded with " A kittle Bit of String," Miss Featon was immediately followed by Mr Edgar Walton, with the song "Yeoman's Wedding," who responded to an imperative encore with " Father O'Flynn," Miss Troughear then rendered the pietty little song, "The Carnival," and tins song certainly lost nothing in her bauds ; after this item Mr A. J. Simrr.elhag, gave in his best style, " I happened tobe there." ani meeting with his usual success was recalled. Mr Walton afterwards appeared to full advantage with the song, "Vanity," after which Miss Crawley, of Frankton, sang, "Polly, The Cows Are In The Corn," this young ladies' efforts were highly appreciated, and she responded to an rncore with "Give Me Back My Fisher Boy." The first part of the programme concluded with a ventriloquia! sketch by Mr Lloyd, who succeeded for some ten minutes in keeping his audience in roars of laughter. After the interval of ten minutes " Little Toddlekius " was itaged by a number of amateurs. The several characters were sustained creditably »s follows :--Mr Brown-Smith, Mr E. Rathbome, Captain L ; tthpop. Mr F. Hunt, Mr Bit'nat y Babkin=, Mr T. W. Davits, Annie Babkins. Miss M. Patterson, Ainanthas Brown-Sm*h. Mrs Dawson, Susan (the servant) Miss N. Paterson. After the conclusion the hall was cleared for the customary dance. Re r reshments were dispensed under the management of Mrs Pat?rson, tnd dancing was kept up with spirit till aftor 2 a.m.—(Own Correspondent). ___________