NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3031, 17 December 1891, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA.

«. CoN'Ußin , .—A concert in aid of the school children's annual sports took place here on Friday, the 11th inst. Public curiosity was on the qui vive for something exceptionally good, and in this instance the expectations were fully justified by the event. From the moment when the curtain rose, displaying the school children artistically dressed and grouped as sleeping fairies in the first scene of a pretty little extraraganza called "The Fairy Tryst" to tho close of the performance, when tho grand old strains of England's li National Anthem" were heartily sung by the largest audience that has ever assembled in our public hall. The laurel wreath of success which they had well deserved by careful preparation and study was unanimously conferred by the large and appreciable audience present. Where each item gave proof of so much careful study and artistic conception, it seems a difficult task to make any individual distinction. The performance, commenced as aforesaid, with the Fairy Tryst and I may venture to say that anything prettier than the final chorus when the "Littlo l J ec:ple " are about to take their flight for tho regions of Eltland a', break of day has seldom evoked the applause of an audience in town or country. It Imd t> ba repeated threo times in responso to undeniable encores. Master B. McKeown in " Barney Maguire's account of tho Coronation "' was capital anil the little Irishman fairly brought down the house. In a more serious vein Miss Agnes Butchers' rendering of "The Women of Mumbles' Head" was equally successful, A nautical scene by Messrs Williams, Ellis and Hookey iutroducing several capital sea songs and chorouses was a most successful item, redolent of " A Life on the Ocea;i Wave " and was much appreciated. A Maypole Dance evincing much careful preparation J concluded the evening's entertainment and c sent "tho auld folks "home with but one idea I about their bairns, " that they didn't think : it was in them. While speaking of those J behind the footlights, we must not forget n i meed of praise to those who worked efti- t cieutly, if unseen, behind the scenes, where \ much of the success achieved was elaborated t by the untiring and well-directed exertions v of our head toacher (Mr H. ,T. S. Ellis), s Messrs Paterson, and Mrs and Miss Card, v the two last-named ladies bringing to bear v the artistic and musical talent that have ti contributed so largely to the success of the Ngaruawiihia Dramatic Club. Pissing t from dramatic to linancial considerations, ii we may mention that the gross proceeds v amounted to the sum of Allb.— Occasional t' correspondent. ti