LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 October 1941, Page 2

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

MONTHLY MEETING

“THE PEASANT CANTATA.”

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION BY CHOIR.

The monthly meeting of the League of Mothers was held in the St. Matthew’s Parish Hall yesterday afternoon. Mrs L. B. Maunsell presided over a very large attendance 'of members and friends.

After a hymn had been sung and prayers recited, all stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of sympathy with Mrs Jaine and Mrs Blackwood, who had recently suffered bereavements.

Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames Ball and McGregor. Letters were received from the Rev. B. J. Williams thanking the League for boxes of cakes forwarded to the Seamen’s Mission in Wellington. Mr Williams said that with 150 men in for tea in two days, and 600 for supper during the week it could be realised how much it helped to have these provisions supplied. Cakes for this purpose may be left every first Thursday at the Sweets department at the W.F.C.A., Masterton.

Mrs. Maunsell read the excellent address given by the Bishop of Wellington at the annual provincial meeting held in Wellington in September. The League Choir under the’ leadership of Mrs Miller Hope, presented “The Peasant Cantata.” With the ladies dressed in bright peasant frocks and the stage a bower of greenery and flowers, the right atmosphere was quickly caught by the audience. The cantata which was composed by John Sebastian Bach in 1742, deals with the rejoicing of the villagers, and their congratulations and good wishes to the new Laird and his 1 wile. Many folk melodies are introduced and most of the numbers are based on merry country dance tunes. The presentation was a triumph for Mrs Hope and the choir, and also for Miss Freda Masters, L.R.S.M., who played the accompaniment so skilfully. A bouquet was presented to Mrs Miller Hope in appreciation of her work in training the choir, the personnel of which was: Conductor, Mrs A. Miller Hope, L.R.S.M.; pianiste, Miss Freda Masters, L.R.S.M.; sopranos, Mesdames Traynor,, Snowsill, Moss, Heyder, Kitchener, James, Madsen, Scrivener, Ogilvy, Forsyth, Thompson; altos, Mesdames Burke, Speight, Daysh, ‘Masters, Heath, Prior, Thomas; soloists, Mesdames Traynor, Snowsill, Moss, Speight, and Burke.

The tea hostesses were Mesdames Barr, Burch, Elliot, Graham, Falloon, and Sortain Smith.