CALEDONIAN CONCERT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, 2 January 1904, Page 3

CALEDONIAN CONCERT.

In the evening the Opera House was packed to the very doors, standing room being almost unobtainable. The committee had arranged a varied programme of yscal and instrumental items, and introduced to the public several fresh performers. Miss Randall was very sympathetic in her rendering of Scotch songs, and for the second, " We'd better bide a wee," was recalled, adding the old old " Caller Herrin.'? Miss Tansley— .always a favourite with a Hawera r audience — was accorded a great reception, and scored distinct successes in her songs .'.• Too late we met" and " Lord Eanold Macdonald." She was encored for both, 1 and sang " Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond" and " Sally Homer." Miss Bessie Flynn chose that lovely old song, " Mary of Argyle," and sang it tastefully and artistically. In response to an undeniable encore she added the ever welcome "Robin Adair." Miss Washer's light soprano voice was well suited in the two songs she contributed. She sang with*great expression. Mr. A. S. Ballance, a well* known Wellington singer, who appeared for the first time in Hawera, created a very favourable impression. He has a baritone voice of good range and quality, and uses it well, bis enunciation being excellent, while he sings with capital expression'and good taste. His bracketed numbers, " The River and the Sea* and "The Bose," were excellently sung, and to them he added, for encore, that pretty song, " The sweetest Flower that blows." He was even more successful in his second song, "A clinking Toast," and was rewarded by a regular outburst of applause, which continued till he returned and sang the old favourite, " Yeoman's Wedding Song." Mr J. W. Ryan sang in a finished style Pinsuti's " The King's Minstrel" and a nautical song, "The Skipper'" for the latter of which'he was encored, adding " Off to Philadelphia." Mr Paterson, with his humourous selections, amused the audience immensely, and was recalled on both occasions ; in fact, for his first he had a double recall. Mr Farmer created much laughter by his comic Btory of *,' How to Love," which gave his advice on that subject to people of all ages. He was encored. Not the least enjoyable item was the Scotch airs played by the Flynn orchestra. The national character delighted all the Scotchmen present, and the selection was repeated. During the interval some bagpipes and dancing served to work up the enthusiasm of those hailing from the " Land o' Cakes." Mrs W. A. Quin and Miss Page were the accompanists. During the interval the announcement was made that in place of the usual sacred concert the performers would appear again to-night /Saturday), when the 'programme would ,be entirety changed. - ... 'l