CONCERT AT NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2973, 4 August 1891, Page 2

CONCERT AT NGARUAWAHIA.

TO THE KDITOII. Slit,— I noticed ill your last issue a report of a concert at Xgaruawahia. Your "Casual Correspondent " undoubtedly enj >ys a moiioply of 11 ittering adjectives, but I observed that ho practised the most rigid economy when using them when mentioning performers who were non-residents in the delta township. The number of Adeline Pattis, Sims Iteeves and Santleys in Ngaruawahia who are (according to the report) wasting their fragrance on tlie desert air is a matter of sincere regret. I failed to see whero the gentlemanly instinct predominates when your " Casual Correspondent " who, after the committee had enlisted the services of acoitain person to assist at the concert, treated him in sujh a slightingly and sarcastic manner in his report. Referring to a well-known and justly popular Hamilton amateur, your " Casual Correspondent " remarks that the song might suit a Hamilton or Huntly audienco, but it wouldn't suit Ngaruawahia. .Just so; too much for them probably. That's what I call an honest criticism. Wo (Hamilton) acknowledge the compliment with thanks. It is very gratifying in these days of cant to sea a reporter admitting in a straightforward, open manly manner that the rosidenu in two adjacent township* have superior intellectual faculties to the inhabitants of his own city. S'icli candour is perfectly refreshing. 1 should like to recominond " Cisual Correspondent " to mention outsiders a little mom fully, and not refrain from inoutioning that tho gentleman whose solo was beyond the audience's limited comprehension, gave a sentimental recitation during the second half of the programme, with 3iich an amount of elocutionary ckill that ho held the audience spell-bound. Tho next time "Casual Correspondent. " has an opportunity of manipulating his journalistic powers on the above gentleman, he will give credit where credit is duo, and not distribute all the jam to his own littlo select circle. Perhaps, however, ''Casual Correspondent " places implicit faith in the ancient little proverb that delicately informs us that " Charity begins at home." I have a somewhat painful recollection of having, some timo ago, the pleasure (?) and honour (also V) of appalling, in conjunction with other members of a talented ebony-tinted troupe, at Xgaruawahia, and tho fact was mournfully noted amongst the troupe that neither wit, humour, pathos, nor the quintesseuce of music could move the cast-iron demeanour

of our audience. Probably a healthy earthquaUe, by making a supreme effort, might cause thetn to oscillate slightly from their proverbial stolidity.— I am, etc.. Innockstui. Hamilton West, 3rd August, 1891.