NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2354, 11 August 1887, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA .

On Aliinday evening I had the pleasure of listening to the performance of the service of song, “Little Alinnie,” in the Presbyterian Church, and I unhesitatingly say that it was the best musical treat, among many, I have enjoyed since I have been in the district, and indeed I may say that I have not heard even in Auckland anything to excel the duets and solos that were sung on this occasion at Ngaruawahia. Peculiar circumstances prevented my being of the audience, and I had to listen from outside, and therefore was debarred from heaving the rending of the story; but, as “Little Alimiie” is the most touching and beautiful of “ Services of Song,” the reading, if but fairly done, could not help being satisfactory. Having myself taken part in this service of song in Auckland, I might bo pardoned for suggesting that the male por tion of the choir would have been much improved by a little weeding—fewer of them would have produced more music, and “Little Minnie’s” prayer would have been much sweeter and more effective if rendered by a more juvenile performer. The surpassing beauty of•" Little Alinnie ”is so much appreciated in Auckland.that wherever it is performed it has invariably to be repeated, and should it be so at Ngaruawahia, as I sincerely hope it will, for the especial benefit of those who have not had that pleasure, I shall certainly secure for myself an inside seat. The singing of the young lady contralto both in the choruses and duets, and the muffled tones of the Dead Alarch by the organist, were simply superb, and anyone failing to appreciate or neglecting to avail themselves of such a treat as listening to the story of the joys and sorrows of “ Little Minnie,” are objects—more for pity than blame. Alusico.