ARRIVAL OF SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1167, 30 June 1911, Page 5

ARRIVAL OF SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

SCENE AT THOKNDON STATION. System was everywhere apparent in the arrangements which were niado for the arrival from , Auckland of the Sheffield Phoir at Thorndon Station last evening. The Sheffield Choir's special train,-due in Wellington at 5.50 p.m. was 40 minutes late. That is to say, exactly an hour and three-quarters before' the advertised time for tho commencement of their first concert at the Town Hall, the choir descended from the train at Thomdon, travelstained, luggage-laden, and waiting to be claimed by the members of the biLleting committee. Outside tho station, along the kerbing, was a long lino of motor-cars, «ach labelled "Sheffield Choir." On the traiuway line waited a string of cars, each placarded "Sheffield Choir special." There were comparatively few people about for the night was bleak and squally. On the platform were several Wellington musicians, including Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, and other privileged persons who held cards of admission to the station platform, while all along were posted small groups—the billeting committees' representatives. Across tho line stood tho specially-chartered string of delivery vans and wagons, ready for the luggage. At 6.30 p.m. the train steamed into the station; at G. 45 p.m. the whole of the company, practically, had been transported, in various detachments, to their tomporary homes, thero to dress for the concert. Quick work, accomplished this wise:—The billeting committee, or transport corps,.so to speak, were arranged in sections (marshals and stowards), and were given cards labelled A, B, C, D, and to on, each card containing the names anl nmnbers of a complete' detachment, destined for a common hostel. Those in the train had previously been ported out into A's, B's, C's, and so forth, and supplied with an identification number. As the passengers descended from the train "the marshal of/i'acli- , group o,i) tho platform called out his letter—"A here"! "B here"! and so on. In obedience to tho calls, the A's and jß's detached themselves from the crowd and clustered, round their respective marshals. Then tho. roll of each contingent was called, the members answering "Hero" to their numbers, and as soon as each contingent was checked and reported all present, the stewards escorted it to its allotted car, cab, or motor. With the late arrival of the train there -was little time to spare for gossiu. A representative' of, Tub Dominion' who conversed with several of the choir members gathered that on tho whole the journey down had boon an enjoyable ono, though tho intense cold which prevailed on the bleak Waiouru plateau made things rather uncomfortable for. those who had not thr good fortune to bo allotted seats in a car equipped with heaters. According to statements made, one or tiro of the cars were nst heated, and the temperature of Waiouru was something to romember. . .

Timo permitted of nothing more than a brief form of welcome by the ActingMayor (Mr. John Smith) on tho Town Hall platform, immediately before the performance last evening. He welcomed them all most heartily to Wellington on behalf of tho citizens, in the absence of the Mayor (Mr. Wilford). They would find many things to interest them in New Zealand, and ho hoped when they at length returned to tie Mother Country that they would have pleasant things to say arid sing of about their tony of the Dominion. Ho wished tho undertaking every success. In reply, Dr. Coward said that on behalf of Dr. Harrise, the Choir, and himself, ho wished to return his grateful thanks for the pleasant reception which had been given them, not only for the kind words of the Acting-Mayor, but by the magnificent audience present. They had come in the interests of Emnir.e, had come io learn of tho nations on the other side of the world. They might assume that they were not disappointed. Their ideas had been enlarged, and those ideas had made them proud that these countries were living under the sumo flag as themselves. They had been joining together the bonds of brotherhood, and if they conld do. that, (bey were achieving fomething in this paradise under the ■world.' Once more Dr. Coward thanked the audience for the reception, and bowed before a. storm of applause. The audience at tho Town Hall last evening represented more money than any other during the tour of the Sheffield Choir in Australia or New Zealand. It represented in hard cash about .£9lO, which is a few pounds more than tho receipts of the first concert given in the Sydney Town Hall.