EKETAHUNA SCHOOL CONCERT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2380, 23 August 1886, Page 2

EKETAHUNA SCHOOL CONCERT.

FkiflAt last ffill iong.be, remembered in Eketahuna as an important'day in ,th» history of that rising .township, n,ot; only as an event, marking .the progress of the district, but to show the close alliasi>lnil good feelifig existing, between » and country districts,' and desire of assisting, in' mattejfex'joeial, as _ well as in the business and. general advancement of each other, " When the concert .was first mooted to dear off the littladebta of the school- committee, It, was only expected to be a purely local affiyr, but as the idoa 'became known it increased in proportion, and offers of assistance came from Masterton,, Alfredton, and Pahiatua, the outcom'j) of ( which was that the programmo.of' Jriday evening last would have beon leo'ewedklM creditable production by an audiencwto - a large town. The 'schoolroom, which has recently been enlarged, was specially fitted up for the occasion, having Boating accomodation for about one hundred and fifty porsonß, andj when the Oha|rman, Mr A. Anderson, announced the'oponlng item the whole.of.the seats were occnpiea there being many visitors from Pahiatua and Alfreaton. - The opening overture, "Zampa," was creditably-performed on tho piano by Miss Ueid and Mr Koisenbetg, tho audience 1 , being quite enthusl- . ftstio in the bestowal of their applause at its conclusion. " "Hunting ; Tower" # vocal duet by Mi-and Mrs Von -Itedun, ! fully' deserved • the ' hearty region accorded to it, as the rendering first class in time and tune. MfWtokorson had to respond for his;',rendition of the ".Little Hero," giving on the. recall. Mr G. Armstrong kept. I the audience amused during of ''Father Phill'a Subscription''List," which illustrated the. |in which-a. priest | feel a Senßo of their duties: tha ' church. "Won't you'biiy niy; fefitjj flowers"-was very sweetly . Beokman, being (laaisted in the chorus by Missfieid, who possesses a very telling alto voice. A duet,'" All's-Wfell," by Messrs Wickeraon ''and' Papworth was followed by a sonjfj "Come under my plaidie," in which Mr Miller captivated tho assembly by recounting a love adventure. of a young Scotch Lass, with -»; lover of three score years and ten; in response to an encore he treated tho audience with another Scotch ditty. Messrs Keisenberg, Papworth, and Bently, had to respoud to an imperative demand-for their, musical aoloctibns oh the piano, double bass, and cornet. The "Jay" episodo from Mark Twain's "Trampabroad," was the subject.of a reading capitally : given by Mr, Shelton,- the local Schoolmaster, who appoars to possess dxceptibiial 'elocution* ary powers,- A Scotch"Hornnipe," bv Mr 0. Goddard, which showed'- " Thore is life to the old boy yet," brought the first part of the programme fco fefiuish. The second part opeuod with a p®> duet " Pvotty brides," by Miss Reio',and Mm Von Rodon, which was greeted with a well merited round of applause. .Mr Wickeraon next sang " Thou, art s(#pr,!' andwas followed by Mrs Noilaqn and Missßeid who rendered the duet '• Juanita" in capital style, eliciting a very complimentary reception from the audience. A humoreus reading by Mr Greville, who treated tho compnny to some far fetched sailor yarns, preceded the song "Jacks yarn," which wsb given with such Spirit and effect by Mr'ft, Armstrong, that ho was compelled to pay the penalty of pleasing the audience by singing the " White Squall," Mr Edge was the next aspirant to vocal honors, and'the mannwi in which he sang " The Bloom is on tha Rye," clearly showed he was possessed of both voice arid stylo, the audience testifying their appreciation in a prolonged round of applause. Messrs Keisen* berg, Papworth and Bently were again successful in a musical selection, having to appear*twice, to satisfy tlie . desire of their admirers. Mr Von introduced a novelty in the vocal aoltjclroni by singing the," Watch on the Rhine" in German, the spirited manner in which this great national song was given fairly roused the enthusiasm of tha audience. In response to a request, Mri:Armstrong sang " The Scout," which brought a most' successful programme to' a -close. *£he aceompanyments were played hyjmu Reidand Mr Keiseriborg,.arid when it is . said that there was not i 'single hitch in the somewhat lengthy programme, it will be a sulßcieut proof that they'" were successful at the piano. The Chairman pronosed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted in the evenings amusement, especially to tV-we who had como from a distance. He was glad that the Eketahuna peoplo appreciated the efforts of their visitors by giving them such a hearty reception. This was seconded by Mr MoCardlo, who in dwelling on the progress of the distriot, Bpoko of the great benefits to be derived in holding these pleasant gatherings. He hoped they would soon see their way clear to erect a hall, so that meetings of evory description could be held in it, without having to tho school room. Tho vote' -Bfr'thanks having beon carried by a&nation the room was oleared, and about two hours' dancing was indulged in, the persistent manner in which both old and young kept the floor, spoke of the thoroughness of the enjoymont, and tho utter disregard of tho future effects of such vigorous exorcise. Those.did not join in the light fantastic, lingered behind to hear the music, and when the last dance was finished, they all declared it was the jollioßt evening they had spent m Eketahuna.

The Mastertou continent - express themselves Jiighly pleasejl, with the reception given them, very flatteringly tof tho hospitality of Mr and Mrs Jones, of tho Temperance Hot#l, who did all in their powor to make the stay a pleasant one for them, To enable the victors to return home by the morning luggage train which learea Mauriceville at half-pasfc seven, breakfast waa prepared at four o'clcick, and a Btarfc m&de at half paafc four, Jjut'owing to the heavy state of the, roads, the station was not reached till half-past eight, consequently they had ko until tna usual down train at 2 o'siwclc conveyed them to their destination,