FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS BURGESS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3064, 5 March 1892, Page 2

FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS BURGESS.

Thb Te Awamntn Hall was packed to the door laet Tueeday night by an enthusiastic audience who had turned out in force to sea the lust of Mr and Mrs Burgess before they left for Carterton. The first part of the entertainment took the form of a concert, and a long and varied programme was rattled through. Mr J. Mandeno, VicePresident of the Musical Society occupied the chair. After the overture on the piano hy Miss Maud Mandeno, the chairman in a few pithy remarks referred to the deep loss the district would sustain by the removal of Mr Burgees. Mr Churchward, a new Msident in the district then started the proceedings with a comic song, " Innis Carthy." It was of the usual Irish Christy type, with several local allusions, and took immensely with the audience, although I think it would have been better to have opened with something more classical. He was encored and sang sime extra verses. The next item was " Take me home Barney," by Mrs Geo. Hunter. It was very sweetly sung, but was somewhat marred by the choru3 sung by a scratch crowd. Mr Graham brought down the house with "TheMidshipmite," and in response to a clamorous encore sang "Tit Willow.' Miss Allan, whose appearance was greeted with applause, then sane "Scenes that are Brightest." It was rendered in her well known finished style. The audience would not let hpr go without the usual forfeit no she gave them the old Scotch song, " Within a milo of Edinborn , Town." This was eren better than the first. Mr Aubin, of Alexandra, gave the sung, "In Plymoath Sound," in his usual style and Mrs Andrews then sang " Killarney." Mr Bursas who was geeted with cheers sang, " Will-o'-the-wisp," and repeated the last verse to satisfy the demands of his friends. The next item was the song, "The Blind Girl tn her Harp," by Miss Freda Bowden, of Paterangi. This was her first appearance here in a eolo and she created quite a furore, Her sweet young voice was heard to great advantage in this beautiful song and she fairly took the house by storm. For nncore she sang the plaintive " Pierrou." It was I think the gem of the evening. Mr Wall opened the second half the programme with " Nancy Lee," sung very nicely and the same may be said of the next two, "The Bells of Aberdowie," by Mrs Greslwn, end "The Skipper's Flag," by Mr Geo. Hunter. Mr Colegnve received a well deseryed encora in "Quean of my Heart," so he tickled them immensely with a comic song in broken French. Mrs Burgess delighted them all with the old favourite, "Fiddle and I," Mr Burgess playing the obligato Mr Prince next sang " Tell ■>r I Love so," I hope she heard it, for I could not, his voice being hardly powerful enough for our big hall.- Miss Allan and Miss Bowden followed with a duet "The BlHn's Farewell " and after them carr.e the local funnyman, Mr Vause, attired as a iivine of the Chatband order. He bemoaned the loss of his old friend Burgess, telling some of his good qualities , such as liberality of cigars, smoke one keep the other for himself. He was. he said, very like one other old friend of his, who alae, died. He then gang ' The Good Young Man Who Died. As ft fitting finale Mr and Mrs Burgess sang the duet "Speak Gently." Mr John Mandeno, as chairman, then presented to Mr Burgees a very neatly illuminated addross from the residents of the district. In doing so he eulogized the good work done in the place by him and recounted his many estimable qualities. In particular he noted the fact that though manager of their financial institution he had not apparently made "ne single enemy while he had made scoros of friends. He then read the address as follows :— "G. A. Burgee?, Esq. Dear Sir,—We cannot permit you to leave tiie district of Te Awamutu without some elight expression of our respect for you as a friend, and our sincere regret at your removal from our midst. During the time you have resided •tnongst ue, both you and Mrs Burgess have always taken an active part in -all aocial matters conducive to our general welfare, and beneficial to the district, and by your never-varying courtesy and unassuming manner you have endeared yourselves to us all. While expressing our 4/>ep regret that circumstances have rendered your leaving us necessary, we sincerely trust that our loss may result is that advancement in your career which by your upright conduct and strict attention to business you justly deserve, and we beg to assure you that you have cur best wishes for the future happiness and welfare of yourself and family in your new home. Signed, on behalf of the reeidonts of the district, J. Walton (chairman Te Awamutu Town Board), James Fakrell (chairman Kihikihi Town Board). Jno. P. Vausk (chairman Te Awamutu Public Library), C. J. Storey (chairman Raneriaohia Road Board), J. H. Mandrno (Vice-President Te Awamutu Musical Society), G. Crcickshank (secretary Te Awamutu Tennis Club), E. Cox (churchwarden St. John s Church)." Mr Burgess, who was much moved, briefly thanked them all for this mark of their esteem towards his wife and himself. The members of the Musical Society and others then closed round Mr and Mrs Burgess, and with the whole audience sang " Auld Lang Syne." It made a touching scene that will long be remembered by all who saw it. When the curtain fell, refreshments were handed round among the audience, after which the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up with great spirit for several hours. Mr and Mrs Burgess leave Te Awamutu on Mr.iidnv, and go south by Thursday's steamer. .^___^_