SONG AND HAPPINESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 115, 18 May 1933, Page 3

SONG AND HAPPINESS.

LORD BLEDISLOE'S PRAISE. UNEMPLOYED RELIEF APPEAL. Speaking at the first community singing gathering of the season in the Town Hall last evening, the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe said: —"On this, my first opportunity since my return from the Islands cruise, I wish to thank most cordially all those who, from different parts of the Dominion, have contributed to the special relief fund which her Excellency and I inaugurated prior to setting out on the cruise. "Although the contributions being received by the fund itself are not as great as might have perhaps been expected, nevertheless, reports received from all over New Zealand show that the appeal has been answered partly by greatly increased gifts to local organisations. I should like to say that contributions, in kind particularly, will be most acceptable, especially in the next six weeks or two months, when there is no doubt there will be considerable distress and impoverishment." His Excellency made mention of the great love of song among the Polynesian racps of the Pacific. "I have come to the conclusion," ho said, "after my recent visit to several of the fascinating native peoples in the Pacific Islands, that there are some primitive qualities which we would do well to include in our more sophisticated lives. One is the community spirit, which we are developing here this evening, and the other is the spontaneous desire to sing, and if possible, in unison with our fellows. "Nothing could have Jjeen more impressive or more thrilling than to hear the singing of these people. Their singing was lovely, and they enjoyed it. They showed a real zest in their songs, and in their dancing. If we perhaps more civilised people could meet once a week and sing in harmony together, I am sure there would be far more happiness and less misery among us to-day." The gathering, which was held in aid of the Metropolitan Unemployed Relief Fund, was led in singing by Messrs. Albert Russell and Vernon T. Drew, with Mrs. Barrington Snow as accompanist. The orchestra from Station IYA, over which system the entertainment was broadcast, rendered several items under Mr. Harold Baxter. Solos were given by Miss Kay Christie and Mr. Frank Sutherland. Mr. Trevor Sparling received applause for an organ recital prior to the community singing. The first of the Friday evening community singing concerts w T ill bo held in the Lewis Eady Hall to-morrow.