ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE WEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2465, 28 April 1888, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE WEST.

«. A VKHV successful and pleasing entertainiiip.nt was held in the Cambridge West School on Wednesday evening, iu aid of the school funds, The program mo was of a triplicate nalure, consisting of a semilecturc, with numerous readings and recitations, a concert, and finally a dance. Tho charge for admission was only one shilling, "lid tho very liiseril programme attracted a number of Cambridge East residents, which, conjoined with the inhabitants, resulted in making a " bumper house." Mr G. W. Russell was announced to give, "An Evening With the Poets," and ho most thoroughly carried out his contract, for he wont through the list of poems given below in a manner that would do credit to a professional elocutionist. His best, efforts were the humourous "Ben Bittle," and "The Little Vulgar Boy." In these he did not exhibit a slight hesitancy that was occasionally noticeable in more solemn poems. Before commencing the recitations, Mr Russell addressed a few words to the audience on the subject of poetry, and said tho study of it was being neglected in this colony. He said it was a most interesting study that did not require any particular skill, as painting or sculpture did, and appealed to the young to throw aside the paltry sensational novels that are now so common, and study such works as Sjott, Milton and Shakespoar. Unfortunately the colonial children only seemed to think of out-door sports, dancing, and playing the piano. He believed in anyone learning the piano who had a natural gift of music ; but an enormous amount of money was wasted upon children who never could get beyond inflicting a " piece " upon a drawing-ro'uu full of company, who, when it was finished, said, " thank you," and meant it; not for the noise—for that was what it often really was —but for having concluded. It was often said that New Zealanders were unsentimental, and that the future generation would be an unpoetic race. He did not think that would be the case, for a country full of beautiful scenery such as this country possesses could hardly fail to bring forth poets ; and it had already produced—in his opinion—the finest poet in the Southern Hemisphere. He then recited tin? following: — "Young Loehinvar," from Marmion ; "The Orange atid the Green," by Gerald Griffin ; "Mary Queen of Scots," "'Tho Bridge of sighs " and " Ben Battle,"

by Tom Hood; "Tljo combat scene," from "The Lady of the Lake;" Maeaiiley's " HoratiuV' , and "The little Vulgar Boy." At intervals the following iniisic.il selections were given : —Pianotorte solo, " D.uiso Nujre," Miss M. Dixon ; song, "The Englishman," Mr Hyatt; sonjr. " Won't you buy iny pretty flowers," Mrs li. Reynolds; song, " Friar of Orders Grey," Mr Cud worth, encored. "And eyes will watch for Thee" Riven ; song, "Reign of tho Roses,' Miss Southgate, encored and repeated ; song , , with banjo accompaniment, "Oh, Susannah," Mr Davis, encored, and "Never take the horseshoe from the door," and several breakdowns given ; song, "The British Lion," Mr Tyer ; song, "Kathleen Mavourneen," Miss Davis; song, "Two Lovely Black Eyes," Mr .Davis, encored, and "The Three Beggar's" substituted. The school was then cleared and dancing commenced, and kept up until 2 p.m. The piano solo and song by tho Misses Nixon and Davis, respectively, deservo sueciul mention, the former being somewhat marred by the paper that was placed between the hammers and wires of tho piano —to make it sound like a banjo—being much too thick. Judging by the number attending, we should think the school fund will benefit to a sub-itantiul amount.