CHRISTMAS CHEER CONCERT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 December 1925, Page 2

CHRISTMAS CHEER CONCERT.

SAVAGE CLUB’S EFFORT, A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. It was a very happy thought on the part of the committee of the Hawera Savage Club to organise an effort with the object of raising money for Christmas cheer for the patients of the Hawera Hospital and the inmates of the Old People’s Home. Christmas to many of them is not the jolliest of seasons, despite all that the nurses can do, and therefore the .provision of funds by which they can secure extra comforts and luxuries which are not otherwise possible is an object that deserved the heartiest assistance. It is to the credit of the members of the' club that they made the effort, and to the people of Hawera that they so liberally responded.

The concert was given last night in the Opera House, and the place was packed to the doors. The programme was an excellent one, and was greatly appreciated. The motto of the club is “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men,” and the members carried this into effect last night. But though their programme was largely of burlesque and comedy, they were performed in a clever way, and gained the hearty approval of all as well as providing much fun and innocent amusement. After an introductory item by the club orchestra under Conductor Renwick, the great tribal haka led by the Savage Hauparoa Whareaitu so delighted the audience that they insisted on another, which was also given in great style. The orchestra also gave another good number. Songs were given by Savages C. C. Moss, W. G. Simpson, Guy Hessell, J. McQuinn, and E. J. Mee, monologues by Ariki W. S. Gibson and Savage R. Vivian, violin • solo by Savage M. Newberry, lightning sketches by Artist S. N. Reece, and a short address on the origin of the haka by Savage M. R. Jones. Much amusement was created by the reading of the “Who’s Who” by Rangatira H. L. Spratt, the local hits typing heartily appreciated ; by the original verses with local allusions by “Mother” and her two daughters; by the mannequin, parade, showing the latest men’s fashions and the fashions of the years to come; by the vaudeville act presented by • Signor Mosserino, Honi Renewilri, and Prof. Strachenette, and the programme ended in merriment caused by the “Samuel’s Sympathy Saxophone Special Star Jazz Orchestra” with the variety of its weird effects and sounds. During the interval the Mayor (Mr E. A. Pacey) eulogised the public spirit shown by the club members in arranging so excellent a concert in aid of the old and infirm and to make their Christmas more of a time of joy. The club was a splendid institution. He considered the programme, which bad been given wholly by members of the club, was an excellent one. He announced that the Opera House staff bad given its services gratuitously, a help which was much appreciated. The effort had been altogether successful. The appreciation of the Hospital Board was happily expressed by the chairman (Mr F. Gillanders), who eulogised the performers for their fine work and the large audience by coming to help in that effort. He said he could assure them all that the patients would heartily appreciate the good cheer that would be given them. The National Anthem concluded a most successful performance.