THE GREY STATUE CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 79, 5 April 1899, Page 2

THE GREY STATUE CONCERT.

The concert, promoted by the Si* Georo-e Grey Statue Committee in am of Se fund? took place last evening^ the Cho^l Hall. His Excelency the Governor, Lord Kanfurly, Mr D- Gold^ (Mayor of Auckland), Lieut-Colonel Banks, Colonel Pole-Penton, Hon. J. A. Tole, Eev. Dr. Egan, Rev. W. J. Williams, and many other prominent citizens were present. The concert portion of the programme proved most enioyable. Mrs Coates sang Parker s 'Close to the Threshold' with much acceptance, the violin obligato being well played by Miss J. Reeve. A clever little girl named Miss Mona Mackay recited Jerome's humorous story entitled 'How My Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture.' An encore was insisted on and , generously responded to. Mr Walter Kirby was in capital voice. He sang- 'Alice, Where Art Thou' and 'In the Cathedral' in an artistic manner, his pure voice ringing throughout the building. Miss E. Mclntyre gave a tasteful rendering of Bevan's .song, 'The Flight of Ages,' while Miss A. Lorrigan received a deserved recall for her singing of The Dream of Home,' when she treated the audience to the simple little song of 'Daddy.' The Waiata Quartette were heard to advantage in 'The Three Chafers' and 'The Banks of Allan Water,' encores being insisted on. Dr. De Clive Lowe brought the first part to a close with a ventriloquial entertainment. The second portion of the programme was full of interest, ■when views illustrating incidents in the life of Sir George Grey were produced by Messrs Cooper and Macdermott's limelight, Mr J. MoLeod acting as lecturer. The historical message of Sir Gtsorge Grey to the citizens of Auckland, taken in the month of February, 1891, under the condnctorship of Professor .Archibald and Mr J. H. Upton, tti6 Mayor at that time, was put On the screen, and the phonographic message, under Mr E. Leydon, was also given. The words are as follows:—''Auckland, February 24, 1891.—Citizens of Auckland. —You are amongst the heralds who introduce, and the rulers who must guide and direct, a new age, and Who must establish an as yet unknown nation. Back upon you will have to look a new race and millions of people. The duty devolving on you is a great One. With humility, yet with fortitude, pursue your task. Falter not! March resolutely on with truth and justice upon either hand of you, with the love of mankind as your guiding star, your duty to your Maker as the staff On which you lean. Then Will God bless you, and render you a blessing to the ages yet to come.—GEORGE GREY.'

The Hon. W. T. Jennings deserves credit for the complete arrangements for the concert.