AN UNAPPRECIATED TENOR.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2516, 25 August 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

AN UNAPPRECIATED TENOR.

Fojt Boine time past the congregation of Holy Trinty Church, Hounslow, have been much distressed owing to the singing of a Mr Thomas Todd during the seivices. Both remonstrance and advice were unheeded, and an extraordinary meeting was called by the churchwardens one day last week. The vicar said the affair had become u public scandal, and several families had left the church in consequence of tho nuisance. Dr. Whitmarsh said tho people wlio sat near Mr Todd at church only giggled. No doubt Mr Todd thought he had the voice of a Jenny Lincl or a Patti—(laughter)—but he hoped the churchwardens would compel him to take his voice where it would be less objectionable. What would they do if they had lifty Todds in the congregation ? (Laughter.) Mr Todd said he had sung in tho same strain in Holy Trinity Church for tho past thirteen years. When remonstrated with lie said lie should sing louder than ever. (Shouts of laughter.) He possessed a good tenor voice, and would sing if 110 one else would. (A Voice—" It is more like a bull roaring"—great laughter.) The Chairman suggested that immediate steps should bo taken unless Mr Todd conformed with their wishes on Sunday next. Mr Todd—What? Refrain from >inging ? Look at King David. The Chairman—l don't want to hear anything about King David. Mr Todd—l wish for a seat in the choir, where I desire to exercise my musical talents. Subsequently a proposition that the church wardens should summon Mr Toud for his disturbance on the previous Sunday was carried, and Mr Todd then said he would withdraw from the church altogether. Some of the members of the choir, he alleged, had sent him insulting letters, but if he had got a little better voice than some of them—(uproar)—that was uot his fault; and he was ready to sing any of them for a guinea. (Great laughter.)