ELGIN SCHOOL CONCERT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 4363, 4 December 1897, Page 3

ELGIN SCHOOL CONCERT.

Glo&e-Harmonic Society.

The Elgin school concert, which has be come a most poDular annual fixture, came off last evening, and was very largely attended, the schoolroom being crowded in every part. Thanks to the kindness of Mr John Cochrane, chairman of the School Committee, the Moral beauties of his well-known garden were requisitioned to decorate the room, which presented in consequence a charming appearance. Mr Cochrane also presided at the concert, which was as usual in aid of the school prize fund. Tho programme opened with an overture on the piano, beautifully played by Miss Hettie Friedlander, who acted as accompanist to most of the songs, relieved on occasions by Messrs Hunmbell and Walker. The items of the programme were all loudly applauded, and were bo thoroughly appreciated that encores were the order of the night. The lady vocalists were Mesdames Denshire, Dee, and Johnston, and Misses Ranger and Brankin ; while the gentleman singers were Messrs Brooking, who sang his patriotic songs with his usual acceptance, flower, R. D. Wilson and Walker? the"Cupids"—Messrs Baker (tambourine), Wilson (bones) and Flower, Chapman, and Barton-whose funniments were much enjoyed. Mr Alick Gordon, to Miss Hettie Friedlander s tasteful piano accompaniment, played a cornet solo with equal taste, to the

great enj.yment of his audience; and Mr Flower's banjo solo was also well received. An interesting and charming item was the little choruß' s Jingle Bells," by eight of the school girls, which was vociferously encored. At the close, Mr Protheroe proposed the usual votes of thanks, and in doing so paid a high compliment to the teaching staff of the Echool for the excellent report given of bhe school's condition by the inspector, and was also mindful of the chairman's desert-, who had for years been chairman of the Committee, and served the cause of education in the district all those years loyally and well. In fact, next to his own household, the school was thb chairman's special care, The performers were also remembered and received hearty thanks for their valuable services voluntarily rendered. After the concert, and the performers having been entertained to a welcome cup of tea, the room was cleared for dancing, and about fifty couples moved in cadence to stirring music supplied by Miss Friedlander, and Messrs Hunnibell and Walker. At the dance refreshments in abundance were provided by the. ladies of the district, and two o'clock saw the close of a most enjoyable meeting.