Concert for Earthquake Funds

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 33, 27 February 1931, Page 6

Concert for Earthquake Funds

Generous All-round Support —

HEN the "Radio Record" made an appeal for a special concert to swell the funds of the Mayor’s relief fund, it little expected the generous response that was forthcoming. Some of Wellington’s leading artists in the music world willingly set aside last Monday night and gave of their best. The whole of the organisation, from the use of the hall to the printing of the programmes, was on a voluntary basis. | Hven the staff of the Wellington Town Hall immediately volunteered to render their full assistance at the doors. Signor A. P. Truda’s augmented orchestra, under the able leadership of Miss Ava Symonds, performed several" times during the evening, and was well received on each occasion. Madame Evelyn de Mauny performed splendidly at the piano, both as official accompanist and as a soloist. The Melodie Four, that popular 2YA male quartet, were heard in one of their favourite numbers, the ‘Cornfield Medley," as well as in two. other bracketed numbers; while another 2YA combination, the Ariel Singers, presented two delightful concerted numbers. The soloists were represented by Mr. Roy Hill, baritone; Mr. Olaude Tanner, the noted ’cellist;. Mr. Assheton Harbord, with humorous songs at the piano; Mrs. Wilfrid Andrews, Wellington’s foremost contralto; and Mr. Leon de Mauny, in a bright violin solo, "Hejre Kati." Quite an imposing portion of the programme was the one-act comedy by Harold Brighouse, "She Was No Lady," presented by Mr. Victor §S. Lloyd and his players. As .Lady Pickles, Mrs. Lloyd deserves special commendation, for she played a difficult part excellently. Mr. HH. A. Painter, as Henry Learmouth, the private detective; Mrs. Susie Painter, as Mrs. Graveney, a caretaker; and Mr. Lloyd, as Sir Alfred Pickles, acted their roles effectively. During the interval, Mr. A. J. Heighway, managing editor of the "Radio Record," introduced Mr. Troup to the audience, seen and unseen. On behalf of the organisers, Mr. Heighway thanked those present for their attendance, but remarked that he was sorry that a greater number had not turned out to support so worthy an object. Mr. Troup, in his opening remarks, said that he could add but little to what he had already said on previous occasions. Twice in eighteen months he had had the difficult task of appealing for support for earthquakestricken areas. Tod-night he was making an appeal, not to those who were present, for they had already shown their sympathy by attending, but to the vast unseen audience. People had already responded well, and he hoped that the response would be even greater as the weeks went by. He asked that those who would wish to contribute to the Harthquake Relief Fund to send their donations to the organisers of the fund, so that they might have the gratification of seeing

by how much their efforts had swelled the central fund. Mr. Troup then traced the work done by the various bodies in succouring those in the stricken areas. He traced the activities of the Wellington district and added that before the funds closed the total from this district would reach the £100,000 level. Already Wellington people had subscribed: nearly £70,000. Hyen this amount would not ge far, but it would relieve some of the most necessitous cases and perhaps pay for the erection of some of the destroyed chimneys and so help to make homes rehabitable. To every one who had helped to make the concert a success, the "Radio Record," the Broadcasting Company, the artists (mentioning them individually) and others, he asked the audience to accord their hearty thanks. Just after 10 p.m. the relay was interrupted to allow the station to return to the studio to announce the death of Dame Nellie Melba. Her favourite recording: "Home Sweet Home," went on the air before the Town Hall relay was proceeded with. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr. Albert Russell related incidents in connection with the earthquake in Napier, bis home town, and graphically described the events and the splendid spirit with which the inhabitants were meeting their misfortunes. Nothing that listeners had seen, read or heard told the half of what had happened and the needs of the occasions required them to give and give. Mr. Russell hoped that listeners would respond liberally and send their contributions to the "Radio Record," where they would be acknowledged.

As the audience left the hall a collection was taken up in a flag by members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Acknowledgments must be made to Whitcombe and Tombs, who printed the programmes; to the Dominion Tobacco Co., Kayser Hosiery, Mrs. B.’s Stall, Macarthy’s Brewery, Ford Sales and Service Ltd., British Celanese Ltd., Aristoc Hosiery, and Shell Motor Spirit, advertisers in the programme; to Messrs. Anderson, nurserymen, of Napier, and to Miss Poole, of Wellington, for the palms used for decoration}; and to the Bristol Piano Company, for the use of the piano. The net proceeds of the evening were in the vicinity of £45, but it is expected that this will be augmented by the amounts sent in by listeners.