LECTURE AND SONG.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVIII, Issue 1514, 2 May 1902, Page 5

LECTURE AND SONG.

As was anticipated, tine entertainment given in,the Oddfellows' hall here on Tuesday evening attracted a large audience. Reports of the exceptional talents of each of those announced to take part had preceded them, with the result that the hall was well filled befosre the hour of opening, many of the audience having come considerable distances. His Worship the Mayor (Mr D. Stewart) presided, and, with a much-needed example oi punctuality, opened the proceedings exactly at the hour—S o'clock, The Chairman, in a few opening remarks, asked the audience to consider themselves for that evening a party of tourists about to take a trip to the Home Land. Sister Elinor would conduct tnem safely from Australia to London without any of the inconveniences of a sea voyage, and without their being subjected to any of the dangers of tie deep. She would conduct them to various parts of England, Ireland, and Scotland, and,regarding the Home Land and the people, she would tell them many interesting things. He had no doubt they would have a pleasant tour. But before making a start, Mrs Schnack would give them a solo on the piano. Mrs Schnack then took her seat at the instrument, and performed her part with such brilliance and taste i as to secure the entire sympathy and hearty plaudits of the audience. The Rev. A. Mitchell (an Australian gold medallist) was next called on, and responded with " The steersman," to which he did the most ample justice. Mr Mitchell possesses a rich and powerful baritone voice, trained to a degree of perfection seldom heard in these parts, and at once proving the rev. gentleman to be indeed a master of song. Needless to say, the audience were delighted with his effort, and an encore being insisted on he responded with " The silent march," in which hfe was equally successful. Miss Jule Layton (also an Australian gold medallist) being called on, sang " Out on the rocks." This lady possesses a rich voice, trained to perfection and under complete control, and it is needless to say she was at once established first iavorite with the audience. In response to an encore, she gave " Joyous life," which evoked equal applause. Sister Elinor was then called on, and was received with very hearty applause. She at once proceeded with her lecture on " The Dear Old Homeland," following the lines as explained by the chairman. Sister Elinor is a very free and ready speaker, and relates with full effect numerous incidents regarding the voyage, and regarding persons with whom she came in contact, and the places she had visited in the Homeland. Many of her recitals were humorous, racy, sensational, and all vivid and interesting. She has a wonderful aptitude for delineating character, and in her journeyings she seems to have forgathered with many strange characters. London, Cornwall, Dublin, and" Edinburgh were the chief places visited; and her description of these were peculiarly interesting to those of her audience familiar with the scenes dealt with. The humorous element largely predominated, and throughout the lecture the audience were kept in a constant state of merriment. Sister Elinor having landed her. audience at Belfast, left them there for a little to enjoy some music. Rev. A. Mitchell gave " The fog bell," his encore item being, " The coming of the King," in both of which he was completely successful. Miss Layton gave " The old countrie," and, in response to a recall, " Daddy," both items being fully appreciated by the audience. Sister Elinor then resumed her lecture, the risible faculties of the audience being considerably strained by the recitatioo ol her experiences in Ould Ireland. Amongst the scenes pourtrayed was a visit to the lakes; »f Killarney, but here, as elsewhere, the grandeur of the scenery was overshadowed and somewhat lost in the fun provoked by the ludicrous sayings and doings of her -native escort. Leaving Ireland, Sister Elinor travelled to Edinburgh, with; which she, of course, was delighted, declaring the city to he the finest in the world. At the conclusion of the lecture Sister Elinor was greeted with prolonged applause. Miss Layton then sang " Home, sweet home," her rendition fully displaying the sentiment of the song, and securing the sympathy of the audience. In response to a persistent recall, Miss Layton repeated the last verse. Mrs Schnack presided at the instrument throughout with the utmost efficiency and taste. On the motion of the Rev. Mr Mitchell, hearty votes of thanks were passed to Sister Elinor, Miss Layton, and Mrs Schnack, to the Chairman, and also to Messrs Muir and Burley for the use of the furniture for the s'tage. Sister Elinor audi

the Chairman having acknowledged the Tote, the proceedings terminated Iby the company joining in singing a ! verse of the National Anthem. We wish to add, and we do so with much pleasure, that we have never known, in Balclutha or elsewhere, of a better behaved audience than that in the hall here on Tuesday night. While the applause was hearty and sometimes persistent, there was no whistling, stamping of feet; or other barbarisms so often indulged in by a portion of the audience on the occasion of popular entertainments. Let us hope the example given on Tuesday night will be followed here for all time. V