HALCOMBE FARMERS' UNION.

Feilding Star, 30 May 1907, Page 4

HALCOMBE FARMERS' UNION.

The llalcombe branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union celebrated their annual social in the Town Hall at Halcoinbo last evening, under the happiest of conditions. The weather, although somewhat chilly, was very fine ,a.nd combined with the bright moonlight night with which the Union was favoured, and the importance of the occasion, no doubt was responsible for the very large attendance. The whole affair must be pronounced a thorough success from start to finish, not a single hitch occurring to mar the evening's ■ enjoyment, and too much praise can- ! not be bestowed upon those ladies '■ and gentlemen who were responsible for the arrangements, for they were ' so successfully carried out as to command the thorough appreciation of : everyone present. Messrs McDon- • aid (secretary), 0. C. Pleasants, and J. L. Morrison were the prime workers in arranging matters, and they were very ably assisted by all the : members of the Union and a host of i ladies. Mr J. L. Morrison made a , capital chairman, and to his energy I must be credited the prompt manner I in which the various performers responded to the call. Of the concert itself there is only one opinion that can begiven of it, and that is that never in the history of Halcombe has a better programme of vocal and instrumental music been placed before an exacting public. Several firstlate amateurs went out from Feilding. including Messrs Potts, Carty, a lid the inimitable Saw tell. The two former contributed vocal items of a first-class nature, which were much appreciated, both performers being encored, while Mr Sawtell's mimicry fairly brought down the house. Some idea of the near approach to reality of his imitations may be gathered from the fact that while he was imitating a dog fight a dog that had hitherto peacefully slumbering in the audience made for the stage growling and showing his teeth, presumably" to take part in what he considered a real set to among his canine friends, to the great amusement oi the audience und the cousternation of the performer. However, the stentorian voice of the chairman was soon in evidence, and that boisterous animal was evicted, and with a more happy expression on his countenance, Mr Sawtell proceeded, and it is needless to say, gained the highest compliment in the power of the audience for his splendid performance. Each part of the programme was opened b- an excellently played item by the Stanway Band— piano, violin, and cornet. Miss Connie Morrison sang " Island of Dreams," and "The Maid of Malabar " very sweetly, Mr L. Pleasants following with an amusing recitation entitled "Here She Goes, There She Goes." Mr A. 6. Carty's numbers, "If I were King" and "Nobody," were well rendered, and thoroughly deserved the hearty applause which was accorded. Mis Pyke, besides providing several accompaniments, contributed two vocal items entitled '•Sometimes and "Just a Little Rocking Chair," which were well rendered. Mrs Donald Qstarric Avas encored for her rendition of the song, "Because I was Irish." air McNab, dressed in a becoming Highland costume, danced the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, and gave a medley selection on the pipes, his efforts meeting with warm approval from old and young alike. Miss Jessie McLennan, who posseses an evcellent voice, did full justice to that Scottish song entitled "Sing the Old Songs to Me." Piano solos wore contributed by Miss Annie Mcwas accorded. Miss Pyke, besides plause following each item. Mr Potts, of Feilding, whose reputation as an amateur singer ib not by any means confined to Feilding, was in good form, and sang "My Land, Thy Land" and "Would You Care' 5 to perfection. Other contributors were Mr F. Pleasants, song, entitled 'Simon the Cellerar"; duet, "Hard Times Oome Again no More," by Mrs D. Quarrie and Mr Matthews. Recitation, "The Frog," by Mr L. A. McDonald. Accompaniments were played by Misses Tyke, McLennan, and Mrs James, and another lady whose name we were unable to ascertain. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers on the proposition of the chairman, Mr Morrison. Refreshments were handed round in abundance, and subsequently the floor was cleared and dancing was indulged in to an early hour, to the sweet strains of the Stanway String Band. . During an interval in the programme, Mr 0. C. Pleasants mado an appeal to all those who were farmers and were not members of the Union to become members. Some people laboured under the mistaken idea that the Union was only an institution for the benefit of the larfee farmer— that was not so; the interests of both the small and large farmer were practically identical. Members, of course, had their differences, but they all had one common interest—that was to see farming advanced. United action was beneficial in many respects. He instanced the benefits to be derived from Unionism, by pointing out that where the authorities were not likely to take notice and give redress to one or prolably two individuals, they invariably were compelled to do so where a body of men were concerned. In the course of further remarks, Mr Pleasants claimed credit for the Union in having been the means, primarily , or having reduced the fire insurance premiums from 16s, at which figure they stood some years ago. Mr Pleasants concluded an interesting address by exhorting farmers, present to think the position oeit well, and lecome members, for unity was strength and association with others was beneficial.