NORMANBY CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume X, Issue 1914, 26 April 1888, Page 2

NORMANBY CONCERT.

The concert tendered in aid of Mr. Litchwark and family, at Normanby, on Wednesday evening, was well attended, despite the bitterly cold night ; tho people of Normanby and Hawera showing, in a practical manner, their sympathy for an unfortunate fellow-settler. Mr. Paine was called to the chair, and mentioned the motive for the holding of the entertainment. It was explained at the commencement that, owintf to the lengthy programme to be got through, it was not desirable to encore any of the performers, otherwise the programme would not he completed till a very late hour. Notwithstanding this request, however, the audience insisted upon several of the singers reappearing. The following items were rendered, and duly appreciated by the audience according to merit : — Pianoforte overture, Miss Taylor ; song, " A flower from my angel mother's grave," Mr.Dodd ; song, ""Trouble," Mr. Dodd ; duet, " The cousins," Miss Eagles and Mrs. Payne ; comic song, " Railway Porter Dan," Mr. Phillips ; song, " When the violets bloom again," Mr. Smart ; comic song, " Hush, not a word," Mr. Stanley ; piano duet, Miss Brooking and Miss Hall ; son?, " Over the hill to the poor-house," Mr. F. Beechey ; duet, " Very suspicious," Mrs. Payne and Mr. Dodd ; comic song, " The watercress girl," Mr. Smart ; overture, Miss Taylor ; comic song, " Naughty," Mr. Stanley; song, "Dear old ciadle," Mr. Beechey; duet, "The wind and the harp," Mrs Wilson and Mr. Smart ; song, Mr. Dodd. A grotesque finale, entitled " The awkward squad," completed the programme. The gem of the evening was undoubtedly the duet by Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Smart. Mr. Stanley was all at home with his comic songa, and the pieces given by this gentleman were loudly applauded ; while Mr. Smart brought down the house with his character song, " The watercress girl." The accompaniments were well played by Misses Taylor and Brooking, and Messrs. Leech and Smart ; but the piano used for the occasion has apparently seen its best days, and possesses a very doubtful tone ; consequently performers manipulated under a disadvantage. On the whole the concert was a very successful one, and doubtlessly remunerative also.

The dance subsequently held comprised nearly twenty couples, and was kept up till an early hour next morning.