SCOTCH CONCERT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 70, 10 March 1914, Page 5

SCOTCH CONCERT.

[ _ The concert held on Friday evening in connection with the Early Settlers' Association was a decided success, both from a financial and entertainment point of view. The performers were nearly all new to a Balclutha audience, and all acquitted themselves creditably. A local concert is generally looked on somewhat askance, but on this occasion the committee quite justified itself. Mr S. Wright acted as chairman and introduced the various items. After a short selection by the Pipe Band, Mr Bennetts (Kaitangata) sang "Maid of Athens" very nicely, and was followed by Mrs Bartv, who sang "Old-and New," and its pretty gavotte-like movement suited her voice well. Mr .1. H. Guest had chosen "something Scotch," giving "The March of the Cameron Men" and ("encore) "Scots Wha Hae." Mr W. Fulton (Kaitangata) sang "Mary of Argvle" an.l (encore) "When Other Lips':'; this singer surprised the audience with his fine true tenor voice, although faulty enunciation somewhat spoiled his renderings; we would advise him to have his voice trained, as it is well worth it. Miss R. Anderson danced a Highland fling very gracefully. W. Proctor (Kaitangata) now contributed a comic in good style, 1 ' Wot a Game,'' and was deservedly encored. Miss Bennetts (Balclutha), who possesses a sweet and highly-trained voice, sang "The Waking of Spring," and bowed her acknowledgements to an encore. Mr Edwards (Kaitangata) sang "Out on the Deep," and Mr J. Ramsay (Balclutha) gave a humorous recitation, Mrs Carroll brought down the house with her singing of "Oor Kail Yam]," and in response to a vociferous encore sang "The Auld Hoose." Messrs G. and W. Proctor gave a good interpretation of the well-known duet, '' Life *s Dream is 0 'er,'' and responded to an encore with the last verse.

In the second part of the programme the chairman announced that encores could not be allowed, as the hour Was late. Mr Fulton sang "Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," and Mrs Barty sang "Jessie's Dream." Mr JVI wards was heard to great advantage in "Sally Horner."

Now came an interval for the "storytelling" competition. There were only three entrants, and they told their stories well. ,The Mayor of Lawrenco, Mr Robertson, told a personal reminiscence of early pioneering; Mr Sid "White had Dunedin in the early days for the locale of his yarn, while Mr E. R. Grigor —who announced that he was telling the story for an old identity who was too bashful to tell it himself—told a yarn about an old shepherd aud his dog. This dog was for sale, but had a bad habit of splitting the mob in two when "pulling, '' and the story—told with a wealth of gesture in imitation of an old shepherd working his dog—of how the shepherd managed to effect a sale was voted to first prize by the audience. The musical programme was concluded with songs from Mr G. Proctor, Mrs Carroll, W. F. Bennetts, a comic trio by Messrs Proctor (2) and Payne, a recitation by Mr Robertson (Mayor Of Lawrence), and a. double hornpipe and sword <Wce by the Misses Tui and E. Anderson. The accompanists for tfe« evening im*. Me# 9. & Grigor,

Misses F. McDonald and Smith (Kaitangata). An enjoyable dance was held after the concert, Mr Sinclair being M.C., and music was supplied by Messrs P. Mason, J. Ramsay and Walsh.