RECEPTION CONVERSAZIONE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9879, 9 November 1897, Page 6

RECEPTION CONVERSAZIONE.

The conversazione given last night in the Ait Gallery and the Provincial Council Chambers, as a reception to hie Excellency the Governor and Lady Ranfurly, was a great success in every way, and the Executive Committee are to be congratulated thereon. Tho Art Gallery was prettily decorated by the; Horticultural Society, and the Decoration Committee worked hard and well in connection with the closed in crossing and the corridor of the old Provincial Council Chamber. There were about 500 ladies and gentleulien present, and the scene in the Art Gallery, where the firat reception of the Vice-Regal party took place, was very brilliant, i

At 8.30 his Excellency and Lady Ranfurly, attended fey Captains Alexander and Ward and Hon. Hill-Trevor, arrived and were welcomed by his Worship the Mayor and the members of the Executive Committee. They.were then escorted to the dais in the Art Gallery, the National Anthem being sting as they arrived. In the Art Gallery Miss Alice Gray sang with much success "My Lady's Bower ;" Mrs Burns, who was in excellent voice> gave "Tißapirei" well, and Miss Lilian Smith sang «■ The Old Countree" very nicely indeed. Mra E. T. Robinson sang "The Swallows" well. Of the other items Mr J. P. Newman gave "Hans Sachs." Mr A. Millar "The Storm Fiend," Mr Halley " The Yeoman's Wedding Song." The Liedertafel, nnder Mr Wallace, sang a couple of part songs capitally. The Banjo Band played "The Onslow Waltz." Mis 3 Jennie West played the accompaniments with considerable taste and skill.

In the Provincial Council Chambers Mis 3 Hilda Meadows was heard to greal advantage in the pretty song " Only a Rosebud," and Miss Davie sang " 'Tia I " well. Miss Annie Lake gave " The Song and the Singer," with 'cello obligate by Mis 3 Marsden. Miss Corrick scored a decided success in *' The Jewel Song," from " Fanst," and the same may be said of the Liedertafel id "Spin Spin," with solo by Mr F. Barkaa. Mr Izard ea'ng "Sigh no more ladies," and Mr W. A. Day " I wonld I were a King." An apology was made for the absence of Mr C. Morris, who was suffering from a severe cold. The Banjo Band played a couple of selections well, and Mr'Seager gave some excellent limelight views. The Vice-Regal party arrived shortly after 9.15 p.m., and were escorted to the dais by the Mayor and the members of the Executive Committee. Miss C. Lingard acted as accompanist very efficiently. Mr Freeman catered, and the whole oi the arrangements win moaUueeesafuUr curUd out.