CHILDRENS'ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 2979, 18 August 1891, Page 2

CHILDRENS' ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

An entertainment was given in the Oddfellows' Hall, C.imbridgo, on Tuesday evening by the children attending the Trinity Presbyterian Sunday School, with the assistance of a few adult friends. As was the case last year, when a similar entortainment was given, the hall was crowded, indeed many had to .stand up during the whole performance. If there is anything that will entice tho pa's and ma's of Cambridgo to luavo thoir firesides of an evening, it is a youngsters' entertainment, and judging by the expression of their faces on Tuesday evening we certainly think they enjoyed the performance as much as the children, and that was not a little. The Rev. W. Evans occupied the chair, but he was not obrusive and seemed perfectly content to be thrust into a corner to make room for the children. He ventured a few remarks at tho commencement of the proceedings, but owing to the audience not having then settled down they were inaudible except to a few in the front seats, of which our representative was not one. The first item was an instrumental trio, "The ' Huia' Valse", pleasingly rendered by the Misses Archer (2) and Campbell upon violins and piano. This was followed by a chorus by twenty little girls, "'The Crafty Old Spider." Willie Kincaid then recited "Tho Widow's Trouble and how it came," and Lena. Neal followed with a song, "Driven from Home." "Ten Little Servants "was sung by infants, and then a very little girl, Ella Sharp, sang "Jesus Bids us Shine." The old school favourite, "The Boy Stood on the Burning Dsck," was recited by Nollie Norgrove, after which Mr Pilcher gave a whistling soli, with violincello obligato by Mr Puckey. It was a loyely little morceau by Gounod, and was excellently rendered. A chorus, "Tho Jolly Jack Tar's," was given in character by nine boys. Gerty Brooks followed with a recitation, "Churning Butter"; Charley Neal sang "Ribinsou Crusoe" ; and then the boys sang a chorus-, "The Chinaman." Mr W. Wallace came next with a song, "The Old Brigade," and then Mr John Ferguson recitsd " Mrs Muuro's Description of a Battle." Seventeen girls gave the " Japanese Fan " chorus ; this was followed by a soug by Miss A. Evans, the name of which we omitted to obtain ; and then both girls and boys joined in a chorus, " Mnrry Little Maids and Merry liittle B.ys." Mr J. Fisher, junr., sang, "The Arab's Farewell to His favourite Steed," and Miss Hooper gave a zeither solo in a skilful manner. Mr Ohas. Roberts recited "My Wife is a Woman of Mind," causing considerable laughter; and then Mrs, Miss ana Mr Hughes caused mote laughter by singing a Welch trio, "Shan Fawn. :1 Mr Murdock Anderson danced a Highland Hing capitally. He was attired in full Highland "rig," his sister and Miss Scott supplying the necessiry music upon the violin and piano, respectively. Mr Patterson brought down the house with the Irish ditty, " Killaloe '; thi concluding item being "The Jolly Blacksmiths," in char•cter, by fife Pukerimu boys—Masters Anderson, Fisher, Gane (2) and Sturge.*. The children took their parts grandly, and they deserve great praise. Those who trained and dressed thorn also deserve a large measure of praise, for the trouble must have been enormous, the dresses in the Japanese Fan and sailor choruses being splendid. Tnanks are due to tho ladies who presided at the piano, particularly the Misses Archer, who supplied the greater share of the accompiniment3. Towards the close, Mr F. J. Brooks gave a few facts relating to the Sunday-school. There are 8G scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 40. The library contains 148 volumes, !.nd magazines and other suitable literature are circulated free of charge. The entertainment was given for the purpose of enabling this to be continued. He was happy to say there was a balance of £3 0s 8d still in hand, which would doubtless rocei ve a good addition by the evening's entertainment. The usual votes of thanks were given, and the meeting was closed by tho singing of "Tho National Anthem." ..