ALEXANDRA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 898, 4 July 1879, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

(FROJI/lCtt OWN' CoUKESI’ONDKXT.) The concert in aid of the Manuherikia Bridge Fund, which has been looked forward to for some weeks, both t-y those who ■wished to aid in the completion of the above mentioned bridge, and by the lovers of music’s charms, came off with very good success in the Town Hall, Alexandra, on the evening of Friday last. Notwithstanding the severe cold of the night, the hall was quite full, and there being good moonlight after the concert, those who came from a distance got home safely, although feeling the effect of the keen frosty air. Amongst those we were glad to notice a goodly number of our Clyde friends, who seemed to enjoy themselves notwithstanding the cold. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Rivers) took the chair shortly alter 8, and the proceedings commenced with an overture, played in very good style by the local brass band. After this the glee singers gave the "Canadian Boat Song” in very good time. Then folloaved a song by Mr Bees—“ The Dear Little Shamrock,” which received an encore.. Miss Finlay followed, and gave the song “ Oh How Delightful ” in excellent stylo. “ Ten Thousand Miles Away,” by Mr A Id red, came next, and received an encore. The next item was a duet—“ The Gipsy's Song,” from “ II Trovatore,” rendered very well by Miss Colliding and Mr Austin. Mrs Aldred followed, and sang “ Ever of Thee ” with good effect. Then came Mr Sams, who gave “ I Fear No Foe ” in good taste. Mr Austin then sang "The Village Blacksmith,” in which he was much appreciated and received an encore. An interval of ten minutes or so succeeded, when, after another overture by Ahe band, the glee singers gave in capital harmony the piece “Como where my Love lies Dreaming.” Then followed another song by Mr Rcea, who was accompanied by Miss Rees on the piano, and which received an encore. Mrs Aldred then sang “ Time may Steal the Roses, Darling,” which was received with much appreciation. Mr Aldred followed, and gave “ The Hen Convention,” which caused some amusement and elicited an encore. Miss Finlay then gave with very marked effect the beautiful song “The Blind Girl to her Harp,” which well suited her cultivated voice, and for which she deservedly received an encore. Mr Austin came next, and sang “ Rooked on the Cradle of the Deep ” most effectively, for which ho received an encore, and in response gave “Maid of Athens” very well] indeed. Mrs Vause then sang with much] taste and feeling a nice song called “Hearts?

and Homes, ’ which was well received. Mr Sans finished the singing by giving the cheery song “ Pull away cheerily,” or the gold digger’s song, as it is called. At the close a beautiful selection from a piece by Madame Oury, was very well executed on the piano by Mrs Lothian, who also played the accompaniments throughout with her usual taste and ability. Altogether the concert was a success, notwithstanding the very great difficulty that met all the singers and performers in the low temperature of the hall, which, though full, felt very cold for the greater part of the time. Before the close of the concert the chairman road a letter from Mr Vincent Pyko, regretting that on account of illness caused by his late accident, ho could not bo present. Ho then briefly explained the object for which the concert had been got up, and moved a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who bad given their services, which was carrie I by acclamation, and a similar compliment was, on the motion of the Rev Mr Lothian, most heartily given to the chairman. This terminated the concert, after which a large number availed themselves of the opportunity of enj >ying a hearty dance to warm their almost frozen limbs. Wo are glad to be able to state that the amount realized by this entertainment has about reached the expectations of the Committee, who have made somewhere about LIS or L2O by the event. Altogether the concert may be said to bo one of the best we have had in Alexandra.