THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1886.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 5389, 8 January 1886, Page 2

THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1886.

The Wallsend shaft was put down 12ft for four days, ending 24th December, and sft for two days ending 30th December. Total depth, 355 ft. The tender of Mr Timothy Dennis, for repairs and alterations to St. Andrew's Church, Ahaura, has been accepted by the trustees, under the contract signed. The price is stated to be LB7, exclusive of charges for bell, cast at the Dispatch foundry, Greymnuth. The annual anniversary of St. John's Presbyterian Sabbath School was held in the church last evening. The teachers and children mustered largely, but regret was expressed at the absence of parents, and the seeming little interest taken by them in matters connected with the Sunday School. The Rev. Mr Westbrooke presided, and after opening the .meeting with prayer, briefly addressed the children. Mr James Ring, superintendent of the school read the annual report, which was considered satisfactory. It showed the number of children attending school, and mentioned the ladies and gentlemen engaged in the work of teaching, also the condition of the library, and that books, tickets, and other requisites had been obtained principally from lectures given by the Rev. Mr Westbrooke, and "Services of song" by the children, > under the training of Mr Ring and some of the teachers. The Rev. Mr Johnston i delivered a short address »o the children and parents, and urged on those present the great need to encourage and support the Sunday School. He congratulated the superintendent and teachers on the progress made during the year, aa shown by the report. Mr Ring briefly addressed those present, and trusted they would mark their appreciation of what had been done in the Sunday school, by liberally contributing to its funds. A collection was taken up, after nrhich prizes were distributed. During the evening the children sang a number of hymns very sweetly. Votes of thankswere awardedtothe superintendent, and others. The chairman ihen closed the meeting with prayer. It was like the irony of bad luck — which sometimes can't be prevented — that Madame Suramerhayes's ' last concert should be her best here ; but it was so. The house was bettur than on the previous evening, ami- it v»;>s noticeable that th-> audience was mainly compost d of lovers o ; music. That at any rate was a tribute to Madame'a ability as an v-xohutant of this in.-wu-rj.it^i:; .-I' Ihc' musical genuises oi the iast century >|and a moat i

loyal and faithful interpreter she is. Higher praise cannot be given to her, than to ; say that she religiously follows the Boore, reproducing the ideas of the maestro as faithfully as her lights allow her. It is a real .'pleasure to come across a gifted musician such as Madame who is free from that' most wretched of all professional caddishness, commonly known on the stage as "gagging," and as "variations" Oh ! those variations ! distraction to people of taste nine times of ten — amongst musicians. Last evening was evidently one of Madame's ibright nights. Her rendering of Thalberg's "Mose in Egito" put the audience at their ease as to what was in store for them. Gottschalk's " Last Hope," which was given by desire, opened a new musical vista, to which Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata " formed the crowning prospect of harmony. It is recognised as a test piece amongst musicians, but its intricacies were gone through by Madame as if they were the mere alphabet of the chromatic scale. It it were possible to represent a moonlight scene by soft and soothing sounds so as to be recognised by the uneducated ear, then Madame'3 iEolian touch brought out the idea of the glancing light on rippling waves to perfection. As to the representation of thunder, lightning, and rain, a Zulu could not mistake it. Mr Woon,. whose musical predilections are well known, was kind enough to eke out the programme by taking part in a duo of the piano and flute (Barcarole and Serenade — Schubert), and it was as well received as it was well executed. It was gratifying to see that Mr Nicholl's throat enabled him to sing last night, which he has been unable to do for some time. His song "Thee and I" was very spiritedly given. He has just the voice for bravura songs. But it would have been better for him if he had been spared the encore, though he responded in fine Btyle. Madame Summerhayes and Miss Anderson played several duos ; which were by no means the least pleasing of the items on the programme, Miss Anderson being a most accomplished pianist. A most entertaining and exceedingly graceful comedietta, "The Happy Pair," brought a refined and pleasing entertainment to a close. The Company leave here for Reefton this morning, where we hope they may meet with every success.

The Colorado Minstrels open to-night at the Public Hall. They are spoken of as a fine all round company, who play for the masses. Their repertoire contains something suited to every taste, but good wholesome enjoyable fun predominates. They did a roaring business at Hokitika and Kumara, and no doubt will do so here, though possibly they will not meet with such houses as they doubtless would have met had they been just a day ahead of Zulu Thompson, who "scooped the pool." Still 'the Colorados should meet with good patronage, as it is a considerable time since an efficient and well organised company of the kind visited these parts,