PUBLIC RECEPTION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 June 1924, Page 11

PUBLIC RECEPTION

TO MISS M. HOOKER. INTERESTING EVENING. It was fitting that, on her return from liondon, where, she has been studying music for three years, .Miss Hooker should be publicly welcomed by the people of Hawera, aud therefore it was most satisfactory to see the Savoy Rooms last night filled with friends, glad to take E&rt in the welcome. His Worship the Mayor presided" over the gathering, and in a few happy opening remarks, said he hoped the evening would be pleasantly spent, and that lie was sure all were pleased to be present to do honour to Miss Hooker. He read an apology from Mr J. R. Corrigan, M.P., who said he exceedingly sorry that important business in the North had called him away. Apologies were also received from Messrs Gormlev, Ollerenshaw, Ackroyd, R. W. Sargent and Goddard, and Miss C. Reillv.

After a violin solo, played by Miss Good, and a, monologue by Mr McFadgen, his Worship the Mayor welcomed Miss Hooker. He very interestingly pictured the great change she must see in coming direct s-om the enormous crowds of the London streets to the comparative quiet of Hawera. He then briefly told of the excellent work she had done from the time she passed her first examination till she got her A.T.C.L. then the L.A.B. in Hawera, and A.R.C.M. in London. He also mentioned her success in securing an Associated Board exhibition, which after a year or two spent at the Sydney Conservatorium, she was able to take up in London. He specially referred to the fact that in a great deal of her training she was under New Zealanders, all .of whom had achieved great success, showing how the’ young New Zealanders became prominent in the profession when they went abroad. It was, he said, most creditable to her, and showed that besides being a brilliant musical student, she was gifted with the power to work and persevere. He said that the people of the town had taken great interest in her success, and now on their behalf he had the greatest pleasure in publicly welcoming her back to the town, and in giving her the assurance that wherever she might settle, she would carry with her the heartiest good wishes of all

Amid hearty applause, Miss Hooker made a brief reply, expressing the great pleasure; she felt at being back once more with her friends, 1 and also her deep appreciation of the many nice things sai daboufc her. Mr R. Page, hoii. representative of the Associated Board, under the aegis of which institution Miss Hooker had studied, welcomed he,r on behalf of the musical people, of the district. He said that he felt sure the welcome given was sincere, and whole-hearted, and that Hawera was proud of her as one of the girls whose good work in the Old’ Land had made better known the name of Hawera and of the Dominion. He said that Mr and Mrs Hooker must be proud of her and quite fittingly so. In conclusion, he endorsed the - Mayor’s assurance of the interest that would always be taken in her future, and that she would carry with her the best wishes of the people. Monsignor Power, in an eloquent address, sketched the progress made by Miss Hooker from the time she first entered the Convent school, where later she made a brilliant pass in the top standard at the age of twelve, and her early musical training by the Sisters and later by Miss D. Reilly, to the time when she was awarded a scholarship by the Associated Board, and went first to Sydney and later to’ London. He said it was gratifying that first his Worship the. Mayor and then the re presentative of the Associated Board welcomed MissJlooker, while the member for the district would have been present but for urgent public business. He said.that with all the success she had secured and all .the excellent reports received of her .work, she was still quite unspoiled, ‘still the - same charming girl she had always* been, most popular with all with whom she came into contact. He felt it was his duty and privilege to give her some advice, and in eloquent language lie urged her to cultivate the graces of the mind and spirit, and said that- in music as in all art, it was the personality and the mind that stamped, the work of a musician and made the best interpretation of the work of the great masters possible. In conclusion, he paid a tribute to Mr and Mrs Hooker, whose self-denial had made it possible for their daughter to secure the fine training she had received, and said their reward was in seeing the great success she hacl .achieved. Mr L. O. Hooker briefly thanked the speakers for their appreciative remarks, and said that Alls Hooker and lie were more than repaid by the success of Miss Hooker and by the fact that she had had a very thorough training. He paid a very fitting tribute to the excellent work in training done by Miss D. Reilly. He said they had made it their aim in life to give the best- education possible to them to their children, and this, he added in conclusion, was the best that any parents could do for their sons and daughters. He thanked all those who were, present, ancl said the evening had been in every way most gratifying to them.

.Piano solos were given by Miss Mara Mackie and Miss E. Goodson, songs by Mrs M. J. Goodson, and ’cello solo by Air Saxon Jones.

By special request Miss Hooker played two piano solos, a very descriptive selection by a modern French composer and a Brahms waltz, boui or which were most appreciated. Miss Hooker showed excellent technique and brilliant execution, and withal the power to express the delicacy of artistic expression necessary for the beauty of the Brahms number. Her playing was much enjoyed.' Light refreshments were then served, and a most pleasant and interesting evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.