BENEFIT CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 808, 11 June 1903, Page 2

BENEFIT CONCERT.

It was gratifying to see such a large attendance at the benefit concert, on Wednesday evening, in tbe Opera House. The Mayor (Mr Robbins), prior to the commencement of the programme, thanked, on behalf of Mr Robinson and family, thoße who bad promoted the affair, and those who were patronising it, and said the Britiah Workman Lodge was deserving of praise for havitag foregone its anniversary gathering in order to assist the charitable object. The programme was long and good. Mr Higham's orchestra played two overtimes in an excellent manner, the second one (a medley) being ihe mo c attractive. Mrs Grindrod gave a very sweet Tendering of the Bang," The Old Counlrie," her lower notes being particularly good. As a reciter, Mr MoAheny quite surprised the audience, his first item, from Bret Harte, being bo well given that ho had to supplement it with another of a very diverting character. Miss Beseie Flynn was in fine voice, and her three items were very pleasurable. Perhaps Tosti's " Good-Bj c " was her best effort, though " Scenes That are Brightest " and her first number were artistically sung. Hei re-call was certainly well deserved. Mr L. O. Hooker sang " Rio Grand i " with effect, and, being encored, repeated the last verse. Mies Richards, who was handicapped by a cold, s.ing two coon ditties (" Lily of Lugunft" and "Coon, Coon," the latter an encore number) in a way that pleased, and her interpret ition of the song "My Dad'R the Engineer," was also meritorious. In the song, " Maid of Athens," Miss Barley was he:ird to some advantage. Her notes were true, and she infused nice feeling into her rendering of the pretty song. Mr Harry Franks was successful in his whistling solo (•■ The Mocking Bird "), being encored, and his clog dance in the second part was also a good item. A recitation by Mr A. M. Crttroy (" Wolsey's Soliloquy ") was given in fina style, and in response to a reoall he rocs 1 ted a short poem with a moral. The several items given by St. Mary's Quartette Party (Miss B. Flynn, Mrs Brett, Rev. J. A. Jacob and Mr L. O. Hooker) were amongst the . most pleasing on the pro. gramme, and the audience were liberal in their demonstrations of approval. A violin solo, "Elegie," by Mr W. Hutchens, was well played. The Borough Band (under Bandrnnster McCorjnell) Rave a selection in tbe ball, and also played outside before the concert. Mrs W. A. Quin wan the aocompanist, and accompaniments were also played by Misses Brunette an I C. Barley. The piano used was kindly lent by Messrs Dixon and Bates.