COMMUNITY SINGING

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 10, 6 October 1932, Page 6

COMMUNITY SINGING

Season’s Returns Over £530 A RED CROSS BENEFIT Without any doubt community singing in Wellington has been a greater success this year than on any previous occasion. The takings at the Town Hall yesterday amounted to £2B/17/-, which brings the return for the season up to £532/2/1, an amount £32 in excess of the sum aimed at. On that account, Mr. E. Palliser, chairman of the committee, announced yesterday that the final night sing on Monday next which is to close the season will be given in aid of the funds of the Red Cross Society, as some slight return for the noble work that society did at the Napier earthquake last year, and for the energy displayed in connection with the latest earthquake in the WalroaGisborne area. This announcement was received with great enthusiasm, especially when it was stated that Mr. Owen Pritchard had in training a choir of 300 Rod Cross nurses, who would be ready to apply first aid to anyone injured by their singing. Outstanding successes of yesterday’s sing were the chorus, "Round the Marble Arch,” and the solos “The Old Rustic Bridge by the Mill” and “Silver Threads Among the Gold,” sung by Mrs. Albert Russell. Among the contributions announced yesterday was a full dinner, packed by Mr. J. Rod, which realised 5/-, 20/from a Featherston lady, who charged listeners at her place a shilling a head for the privilege; 35/- from walnuts sent from Takaka; a whole carcase of mutton from Mr. Charles Gray, of Pukerua; another instalment of three yards of sausages from “Johnny” Walker;' and half-a-soverelgn from “Polly of Paekakariki.” Mr. Frank Crowther apologised for having been less consistent in his attendances this season, stating that that was owing to his having accepted an engagement to play daily between 12 and 2 p.m.. However, he added, there were plenty of fish in the sea, and they had caught a. good one when they secured Mr. Joe Duncan as pianist. A community pianist must have a good ear, good sense of rhythm, and a sense of initiative, and in that respect Mr. Dunean had filled the position very successfully. Mr. Palliser thanked Mr. and Mrs. Russell, Mr. Owen Pritchard, and Mr. Will Mason for their services, and also expressed the thanks of the committee, on behalf of the Mayor, to the Bristol Piano Company for the free use of an instrument throughout the winter; to the Red Cross nurses; to Mr. T. W. Leslie and the Town Hall staff; to the traffic officers; to Sir. King, for his services in the treasury, and all who had assisted in any way to make the sings the complete success they had been. The. sing concluded with the hymn “Abide With Me.”