TESTIMONIAL COMMUNITY SING

Evening Star, Issue 22723, 10 August 1937, Page 5

TESTIMONIAL COMMUNITY SING

RECORD ATTENDANCE POPULAR LEADERS HONOURED Evidence of the popularity of Messrs H. P. Desmoulins, J. F. Himburg, and A. Pettitt, and their Community Sing Committee’was given at the Main Town Hall last evening, when a sing organised by the mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) in their honour drew a record attendance; the’ hall being packed to the doors. The leaders for the evening were Messrs Alan Brown and Squire, of Christchurch, who were introduced by Mr Desmoulins. Mr Brown proved a popular leader and the audience responded to his direction. Special items given during the evening were songs by Mr L. J. Dunbar and musical numbers from a trio (piano accordion, banjo, and string bass), consisting of Miss Muriel Caddie and Messrs Oliver Stokes and Eric Kane. Mr Pettitt made an appearance at the piano by request, and an exhibition of tap dancing was given by Miss Ngaire Wix. At tbe conclusion of the main portion of the programme the Mayor thanked the committee and the three leaders fo,r their work during the winter months.

“ For the past seven years,” Mr Cox said, “ Dunedin has possessed a team of men who every Friday at midday have spread the good cheer germ not only to thousands of people who have gathered at the community sings, but to the tens of thousands of listeners who have partaken of their lunch to the accompaniment of song, story, and laughter from these jolly rallies. In times of depression there is nothing more important than to impress people with the idea that bad times_ are not permanent, never have been in world history, and' never will be. When, however, the pay envelope was diminishing in size and thousands were losing their jobs, our friends whom we honour tonight got together crowds of people and infected them with the good cheer germ.” Mr Cox outlined the help given by the committee to various public funds, culminating in the record sum of £2OO being collected for the Plunket Society at a recent “ sing.” Presentations were made to the three leaders and to members of the committee, including Mrs M. A. M'lntyre, to whom Mr Cox paid a special tribute. Mr Desmoulins and his companions thanked the audience for the reception they had received, stating that they had not sought any reward for their duties on Friday afternoons. They always enjoyed "the “sings” just as much as, if not more than, the members of the audience.

Mr W. R. Sinclair, chairman of the committee, replied on behalf of his colleagues. At the conclusion of the evening Mrs Houston, organiser of the Special Committee, was presented with a bouquet and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs Brown and Squire, who, together with the General Committee, were afterwards entertained at supper by the Special Committee.