MISS ADA CROSSLEY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11749, 25 November 1903, Page 7

MISS ADA CROSSLEY.

CHAT WITH TliE CON!Hyj_T().

"Can you have ft chat with met" said Miss Ove-ley last night, to a member ol tho staff of "The Pre**.'* ''Ckatainiy, wkh plesisire." The timo wa» between tlie acts of ''Barbara Freitchi*" in the maangerial box at the Theatre. A two Australian, in appearance is the young colonial girt who conquered the English musio loving peoplo by the magic of her vofc*. Bin* eyes, com-cdoured hair, and an expressive mobile face, full of sympathv-anch is Mis* Oroesley to see, A talk with her is pleasant, owing to her LiuiifTi i trdnre* " I am so glad I oamo to New Zealand,'' said M-» Croasky. "I would not hay* missed it for worlds. When I gave my first concert at Dunedin the other night, I wa* much moved by the heartiness of the welcome accorded to mc. It t«"> not more so in my own part of the colonies. I think the New Zealand people, what I have seen of them, are wonderfully sympathetic, and aliow a love for music, and as thorough an appreeistioo. of it as is to be found in the older country." When assured that her career as a colonial girl at Home bod been watched with much interest in New Zealand, Miss Crowley expressed her great gratification. "When at Ashburton yesterday," said she. "I was very much touched by tho fact that somo people introduced to m© had cuttings from tlie English papers of my successes in (London. ••What songs do I like best? Well, my repertoire is so extensive that I can hardly say. But "Caro Mio Ben," which I sing a* my first number to-morrow night, » one of my great favourites. I think, perhaps, because it was the one which the late Queen Victoria liked best. When I song before her she had tlie Empress Frederick on one side of her and the present Queen on tihe other, and I worn put at my ease after the fint two or three bars, as her Majesty followed my singing with so much 1 interest and sympathy. She was intent*ilv sympathetic as regard* mutsic, and so I also is Queen Alexandra. The order I i wear was the first one given to mc hy the. Queen, and I priso it mont highly. Then to-mon-ow night I group'five songs together of a k*s severely clasric type, so as to suit all tastes of my audience, and I group them because I do not like to be continually coming on the stage." "Yes, I have h<_rd of the beauties of Christchurch for a long while," said our visitor, "and intend to-morrow to take v long driv* round to tee all 1 can. After tho New Zealand tour I go to Sydney, and thence on to my home iv Gippslaj_l, where I sing at a number of charity concerts. Then back to Melbourne for one farewell concert, and on to South Africa, and to 'England, where 1 am due early in the Miss Crossiley explained that she came by the slow train to Clirlstchurch from Timaru so as to visit the Theatre last night, "You see," said she, "I have to few chances of amusement that I am glad to take an opportunity like this to see a performance."