HUTT BOWLING CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3170, 22 August 1917, Page 7

HUTT BOWLING CONCERT

AN EVENT. . The Town Hall at the Lower Hutt was filled to capacity last evening on tho occasion of the annual patriotic concert organised'by the Hntt Bowling and Tennis Club. This concert is no ordinary fixture. It is an event of great importance in the Valley, and were such a programmo submitted in the big Town Hail in town it would be sufficient to attract a full "house; indeed, itis suggested to the club, and in particular to Mr. E. J. Hill (tho energetic and painstaking musical director), that the concert should be repeated in town ciactIv as it was given last evening. Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool -accorded her patronage,, and His Excellency tho Governor-General wrote expressing liis regret at his inability to attend, owing to business of State at Auclciaii j. The revenue derived 1 from the function— it was movo than, a concert—is to be handed over to the Hutt Patriotic Guild for Ihe relief of wounded soldiers..

The programme was literally a feast of good things. Conspicuous among tbem on Che musical side was tho splendid declamatory interpretation of Alfred Hill's dramal.io song, "Waiata Mnori"—a page from the lifo of the primitivo Maori, and given vivid musical exprcesion to by one who lias wrought in perfect affinity with his subject. Miss Caldow was seized with tho sopl of tho song, and the changing omotions it encompasses were most graphically delineated. Tho sorig, or rather scena, is aided by an invisible chorus, who croon softly an old and wellknown Maori air in harmony, which effect was very beautifully achioved. Then from the smooth chant of peace comes the fierce war-liko challenge—

With. flashing eye and lolling tongue, With gesture wild, and fierce grimace, 'Tab warrior leaping into tho air, Shouts his defiant song. Death it is! surely," • Ka mate! Ka-o-ra! No! 'tis life, doubt not; Ka mate! Ka-o-ra! It is a number that must bs heard in Wellington, and one withal which displayed the singer as an artist of marked dramatic power. Another treat was tho little talk of Mr. 0. J. Parr, M.l'., of Auckland, on the statesmen of England, admirable, well-pointed, word portraits, and charmingly delivered. Miss Tiena Te stu, who has a lovely 6opra.no voice, sang Eisso's "Waking of Spring," and another charming song, "If You Would liovo Me" (Jl'lJermid). Mr. Herbert Wood, now a popular figure on the platform, sang "When Ton Come Home," "Ship-That's Bound for Blighty," "Destiny" (Baynes). In tho second part, Miss Caldow also contributed tho aria "Softly Awakes My Heart" (from "Samson and Delilah"). Mr. H. Hodges sang two ■ little "Songs of Rumania" (I.ohr) and Chad-wick's 'adaptation of "The Bedouin Love Song." Miss Wendy Lonsdale and Messrs. Norman Aitken and Albert Bussoll provided light relief in good style in song and recitation. Miss Zita Chapman dipped info Shakesnearo come--what ambitiously, and the Savogo Club Orchestra played several ol\arming selections. Tho accompanists were Mr. Harold Whittle. Misses Varney and Caldow. Mr. E. J. Hill, who arrangod thn propniuiiHe, deserves much credit for his labour of love.