ENTERTAINMENT AT TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 312, 14 May 1874, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT TE AWAMUTU.

3xe of the most successful entertainments a Waikato mdience has over had the pleasure oi participating in, consisting of ji Soiroe and Concert, took place at the Volunteer Hall, Te Awamutu, on tlio sth instant. The Rev L 0. Brady presided. The success of the son-be is mainly attributable to the efforts of the following ladies, by whom the babies were supplied in a most excellent manner : — Meadamcß Bridgeman, Stoney, Alexander, Simpson, Anderson, and GKff»rd. Volunteers came irotn Alexandra and other settlements to contribute to the musical portion of the entertainment. It would be- scarcely fair to criticise an amateur performance under any circumstances, especially when given lor so laudable an object ; but to endeavour to find defects in tne efforts of those who labour under tbe considerable disadvantoge of inability to obtain ample rehearsal, would be palpably unjust. The majority of the settlers of our district have their farms to tend, and cannot, therefore, spare the time in order to give that attention to musical practice -which is absolutely necessary to ensure complete success. But wo are of tho opinion that the entertainments which, are held from time to time in the Waikato, will compare very favourably in comparison with those of any other district in the colony similarly situated. The time will come, we hope, when matters will be more favourable to the growth of true music, when wo shall not iind it neoessary to produce tbe same old pieces, to the same audiences over and over again. The late concert was an evidence that we were right in asserting, somo time since, that there was a considerable amount of musical talent in Waikato, which only required to bo cultivated to produce results that would be eminently satisfactory even to the most hypercritical. There ia no doubt, that if there were means of getting from one part of the district to another more speedily, there could be instituted a musical association for the purpose of producing concerted music, consisting, not enly of vocalists, but also of instrumentalists, who ar» now compelled to be sitisfied with solos. Would it not be practicable, even now, to establish such a society ? If the lovers of good music in each of the larger settlements were to make an effort, there is no doubt that a sufficient number of performers could be got together in each place, to form small societies, which conld be considered branches of the large one. We have somewhat digressed from the subject in hand, because we feel that it i 3 a pity the musical talent of Waikato should have to descend to the performance of music scarcely worthy of the designation, from m ant of somo such combination as we have suggested.

PROGRAMME. ' God Bless the Prince of Wales' ; Solo— 'My Old Friend John, ' n tbeme, instrumental ; Glee — ' Merrily Eing3 the Bella of Sfc Michael' ; Solo— ' When the Swallows Homeward Fly ' ; Song and Chorus—' The Little Church Round the Corner ' ; Solo — Italian song, ' Vivavviso ' ; ' Tell Mo Where do Fairies Dwell' ; Part Song—' Here in a Cool Grot ' ; Solo—' Swing on Old Pendulum ' ;' Ye Banks and Braes ' ; Solo and Chorus—' Marching Through Georgia ' ; Instrumental ; ' Loud Ho Sang the Paalms of David ' ; Solo- —' Auld Kobin Grey ' ; Part Song ; Solo—' I Know a Bank'; English Song — Moore's ; Glee — ' See our Oars ' ; Solo — English Song ; Song and Chorus ; Thy Voice is Near ; National Anthem. The attendance was very large, and the proceeds, which will be devoted to fencing the church-yard and general repairs to the Te Awaniutu church, amounted to about £25. One pleasant feature observable at the entertainment was the hearty co-operation of members of all denominations. At the conclusion of the entertainment, with which all seemed well satisfied, the chairman thanked those who had so kindly assisted them that evening. We understand that a similar eutertainment is to be given at Alexandra shortly for church purposes, when we believe that a very good programme will be gone through. Assistance, it is anticipated, will be rendered by several ltdies and gentlemen from other parts of the district. Now that the Waipa river is navigable, we would sujrgost that those living on that stream should render their aid-