THE ARTHUR GARNETT CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 19639, 19 August 1927, Page 2

THE ARTHUR GARNETT CHOIR

A merry party set out on Wednesday evening in a corporation char-a-banc to give an evening’s entertainment to the patients in the Orokonui Mental Hospital, Waitati. Mr F. C. Camming, the agent of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, had arranged with the leader of the Arthur Barnett chqir, Mr S. Lawn, that his band of singers and players should visit tho institution and entertain the inmates. Thirty cheerfully complied with the request, and thoroughly enjoyed tiic trip. An excellent programme of vocal and instrumental items was presented, and the performers acquitted themselves well and delighted their audience. The choir rendered ‘The Soldiers’ Chorus,’ ‘The Minstrel Boy,’ and ‘The Chase.’ Miss Malloch recited ‘The Mouse and the Bat’ and 4 Mrs ’Arris.’ Miss Pratt sang ‘Annie Laurie’ and ‘Somebody ’; Miss Anderson ‘ The Garden of Happiness’ and ‘Just Because of the Violets ’; Mr Blake ‘ Shipmates o’ Mine ’; Miss Loefflcr ‘ The Bird with a Broken Wing’; bliss Ashton ‘Be Good. Sweet Maid ’; and Mr Lawn ‘ The Song of the Clock.’ Misses Ashton and Pratt rendered tho duet ‘ Come, Sing to Me.’ Mr Payno gave a horn solo, and Messrs B. Graham and J. Tyrie a guitar duet, both items being warmly applauded. bliss M‘Dowell presided at the piano. The concert closed with the National Anthem, after which the floor was cleared for a dance, in which the visitors and tho audienco shared. Mr H. Tl. Driver, as convener of the Hospital Committee of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, presided during the evening, and expressed the hearty thanks of the society to Mr Lawn and tho choir for the splendid concert they had given, coupled with the hone that they would repeat the favor at sonic future date. Mr John Banbury, the head attendant, in the absence of Dr J. Macky, the local medical superintendent, said how much tbc patients and the staff had_ appreciated the visit of the choir, and thanked all for the items they had excellently rendered. After supper the merry party returned to town.