A “RIPPING” SOCIAL

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1929, Page 3

A “RIPPING” SOCIAL

Last evening at the Soldiers’ Hall, the ladies of All Saints’ Church entertained the members of the “Rip Van Winkle” opera party and their friends, a very large gathering resulting. Among those present were Mrs Staveley, the producer.olf the opera, and most of tlie principals, including Mr and Mrs Arnold Perry, Morgan and Wylie, Messrs Coulson, Brooks, Bulpin, and Wright, together with the chorus, orchestra, and the men behind the scenes, who headed by Mr R. Lyrin, made a. special parade. By request most of the performers were in costume, and the result was a very bright and gay scene of moving colour. The Revd. Nelson Wright, vicar of All Saints’ Church, and Mrs Wright were host and hostess, supported by Mr and Mrs J. B. Ward and the members of the Church Committee.

The' early part of the evening’s programme consisted of music and dancing. Master J. Staveley and party supplied a small orchestra, and dance nuhibers were played by Misses Jaco's (2), ,and Lynn, tlie Revd. Wright, and Mr D. Stevenson. The music was supplemented largely by Mr H. T. Parry’s electric gramophone, per medium of which both music arid vocal numbers were rendered. The floor at times was Tiled to overflowing and the proceedrigs were quite in festive vein. Before he evening ended, a trio off young adies from Christchurch, Misses AusTn and Pye (2) gave a splendid exliibiion' of Qlub-swinging with the permission of Mr Musson, and were accorded 1 prolonged round of applause.

The ladies of the Church provided a Very liberal supper which was served generously. Following ' supper, there was a break when Mr Evans, business lianager of the production, presented the balance sheet for the Hokitika season and the Greymouth production. The statement of accounts was supplied in full detail, and posted for general information. Tlie receipts for the three nights at Hokitika were given at K2S7 Is 9d and the expenses were £B7 Is 9d, leaving a net. profit of £2OO. the receipts at Greymouth were £lsl L3s 3d and the expenses £65 12s 4d, producing a net profit of £B6 0s lid. Tlie statement of accounts and cheque for the surplus for the Church Building (fund were handed to the vicar by Mrs Staveley. / The Revd. Nelson Wright thanked one and all for the splendid result, also congratulating the Company on the splendid performances given. He stated the financial, help was most acceptable. They woiild be pleased to bear the new building would be commenced as soon as the" piano., for the Fast end were approved by the Diocesan authorities. in Christchurch. Witli the extra money in hand much additional work would be provided for, including the rebuilding df the Church organ in'" its new, • location.-. Tlie gift which permitted so, much extra to be done was therefore. all the more highly

ppreciated by; all connected with the Church. * ... . Mr Evahs said he had a pleasant luty to perform on behalf of the Comiany which was to acknowledge the services of Mrs .Wright (Mistress of Tie Wardrobe) and Miss Gwen Jacobs (the pianiste), Be praised their exrel'ent and self-sacrificing .work, Mrs Staveley supplementing his remarks with some special. words of appreciation. On behalf df the Company, Miss ■Jacobs was presented with a ervsta. 1 necklace, and Mrs Wright an afternoon bronze tea stand. Hearty cheers were then given for the recipients of the gifts and for Mrs Staveley, musical honours also being accorded. Before the close, Mr Coulson on behalf of thr guests, thanked the ladies df All Saints’ Church for their kind thought in "organising the social and for the 'enerous hospitality extended, and hearty cheers were ladies’ committee.

Speaking to the Committee, Mr Evans explained that, full particulars of the cost of the production were derailed in the balance sheet. The result Was so substantial because everybody, gave their services freely., and all helped where they could without charge. The performers provided their own wardrobe free of cost to the production. In the came way, Mr Lynn and his assistants worked up the scenery without charge for anything but +ho raw material. Mrs Staveley’s talented ”'ork was given free of charge, a d that meant several weeks constant devotion to the dutv undertaken. 'The charges by the tradespeople had also been very considerate, ahd in that con-

viioii it might be mentioned that the Kanieri Electric Coy. Ltd. gave the lighting free as well as supplying without charge much of the material used for the effective staging which had resulted. - Princess Theatre Coy. Ltd. had also Bfeen generous in reducing the charge for the hire of the theatre, to a. minimum, while the doorkeepers and others, also, had given , tlieir services without charge. With such a willingness to help on all sides, it was not to be wondered at. that the opera proved the success it did from, every point of view.