AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 909, 4 January 1872, Page 2

AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

A performance, iu aid of the funds of the Westport District Hospital, was given by the local amateurs at the Masonic Hall, on Tuesday evening. The house was crowded. The first part consisted of comic, sentimental, and descriptive songs, a performance on the musical glasses by Mr Cox, a concertina solo by Mr Fama, a comic recitation by Mr Alexander, and a step dance by Mr Fernandez. Mr Dunn gave " There is a Flower that Bloometh" not altogether successfully, owing to the want of accompaniment, and was followed by Mr Marshall in a comic song. The performance by Mr Cox on the musical glasses was deservedly applauded. Mr Weston sang " Ah, never deem my love can change" very tastefully and correctly, and was followed by Mr Munro, "who gave "Simon, the Cellarer," with much effect. He was encored, and sang " Put me in ray little bed," which was very favourably received. Mr Cox followed with a local song, which brought down the house. He was encored, and gave his local song "The Municipality,''' which was also well received. The descriptive song, " Burke and Wills," by Mr Pain was also immensely well received, and Was very well and tastefully rendered ; in answer to an encore he gave " The Slave Ship." It was Mr Pain's first appearance among the amateurs, and we cannot but congratulate them ou having received so valuable an accession to the strength of the company. A solo on the concertina was then very creditably played by Mr Fama, and was followed by Mr Davidson, who in his song of " Beautiful Nell" wanted but a little more spirit to render it a perfect success. Mr Alexander, in his recitation, "The Wonnerfu' Wean," was warmly encored, and compelled to repeat the last few verses. The first part concluded with a spirited step dance by Mr Fernandez, which was heartily applauded. The second part consisted of a performance by the Westport Christy Minstrels, Messrs Fagg, Dignam, Fernandez, Weston, Dunn, Hughes, Cox, Fama, and Marshall. The overture was followed by the opening chorus " Happy are we," which was very creditably given. Mr Fagg in hia admirable rendering of " The Jjost Child" was warmly applauded; Mr Dignam in " Katty Katty" and " Eoot Hog or Die," introduced clever localisms, which told very favourably; and all the minstrels acquitted themselves to the perfect satisfaction of the audience. The songs were interspersed with conundrums, most of which had a local bearing. The qnestion " Why is Simpson, the bootmaker, like a half-caste " received for an answer that he was between "White" and "Brown," his premises beiqg situated between those of the druggist and draper of the above name. A description of the tendency of our mining population to indulge in litigation enabled the narrator to raise a joke at the expense of our local solictors. After missing the hook of the " Fisher " they fall into the "Pitt" (laughter), and if they escaped these dangers, they were sure to go butt against the " Horn." Reference was also made to Mr Leslie, of sporting proclivities, who was represented to own an estate in Gladstone street, to wit the Bank of New Zealand, containing a " Bavfield " and a " Warren." Prior to the last song, Mr Fagg came forward, and thanked the public for the hearty manner in which they had lent their assistance to the funds of the Hospital. The entire performance was iu every sense an unqualified success, and we speak no idle compliment in stating that the gentlemen who kindly lent their services are worthy of every commendation. By their means our holiday visitors were enabled to listen to two highly pleasing entertainments,

and although the successful result was only achieved by dint of constant application and perseverance, on the part of the amateurs, yet they may rely that they will at all times receive public appreciation so long as a like good taste and careful preparation attend their efforts.