APPROPRIATE INAUGURATION

Evening Star, Issue 22083, 17 July 1935, Page 4

APPROPRIATE INAUGURATION

R.S.A. COMMUNITY SINGS SUCCESSFUL “ DIGGERS' NIGHT " Everything consistent with the spirit of a Biggers’ entertainment w'as appropriately introduced at the first of a series of fortnightly community sings under the auspices of the Dunedin lieturned Soldiers’ Association, held last night in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. Several hundred persons lustily indulged in the singing of specially chosen war-time melodies, and were happily amused with soldiers’ humour and numerous other forms of entertainment, the atmosphere of the occasion being that distinctive jollity always to be found at the incieasingly-popular community singing sessions. The proceeds from the sings will be devoted to the relief of distress among ex-servicemen, which is widespread, and in making this announcement Mr A. S. Falconer (president of the R.S.A.) explained that, while there had been some doubt as to the probable success of the sessions, the excellent response that evening was indeed encouraging. The committee of the 4ZM Radio Club had been responsible for suggesting the sings, and the R.S.A. executive had been eager to co-operate. They had been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Arthur Macdonald as the leader and his wife as the accompanist, while they were also indebted to numerous performers who had promised to assist, to the Otago Regiment and its band, and to the Returned Soldiers’ Choir. ‘ Reveille ’ was sounded as if to call the singers to attention, and after a verse of the New Zealand National Anthem the lengthy programme was commenced. For a time the accompaniment was provided .by the Regimental Band (under Lieutenant Asten), and such favourites as ‘ Soldiers of the King,’ ‘ Pack Up Yonr Troubles,’ ‘ Tipperary,’ and ‘ Fall In and Follow Me ’ were included in the first section of 1 the session. The words were reflected on a screen—an admirable method of getting everybody to join in the singing. Except for a few bright interludes, melodies continued in this strain, the leader’s infectious enthusiasm giving the proceedings a lively swing, while a piano and violin accompaniment proved more suitable for the tempo of the singing, with the result that as the evening advanced more and more enjoyment was extracted by the audience from their own and others’ efforts.

At the sounding of ‘ Taps ’ by Mr R. Mathewson, Mr Tano Faina was introduced, and ho proved the hit of the evening, dispensing a fund of laughable “ Diggers’ ” and popular humour which kept the audience in a continual uproar. At his instigation those present found themselves completely absorbed in performing childish antics and gags,- which were none the less amusing, and it was a relief to their sore sides when he took his final bow after about half an hour, during which time two fine choruses were entered into 'whole-heartedly—‘ If You Want to Find the Sergeant ’ and ‘ Keep the Home Fires Burning.’ Further humour was provided by Mr George Currie’s song, £ Oh, It’s a Lovely War,’

and Mr G. S. Lock’s dramatic recital, ‘ Road of Ten Thousand Crosses,’ was in complete contrast. Conducted by Mr J. T. Leech, the Returned Soldiers’ Choir gained well-merited applause for its songs—‘ Last Long Mile ’ and ‘ Changing, of the Guard ’ —and ‘ The Spirit of France ’ was a cleverly-con-ceived ballet performed by, Mr Stan Lawson’s pupils. _ Piper A. M'Millan was heard in bagpipe selections— ‘ Cock o’ the North ’ and ‘ Blue Bonnets o’er the Border.’ Mr Arthur Macdonald also sang in his best style the martial strain ‘ The Old Brigade ’ and (in response to many requests) 1 Good-bye,’ from ‘ The White Horse Inn.’ Donations totalling £34 17s were received and acknowledged during the sing, one of £2 being sent in by the inmates of Montecillo Home, to whom the singing of ‘ The Rose of No Man’s Land ’ was dedicated. In addition to the monetary contributions much of a material nature was also forwarded, and these goods were put up for auction following the sing, which concluded in typical fashion, with the singing of ‘ Show Me the Way to Go Home ’ and the sounding of * Lights Out.’