PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2293, 5 January 1900, Page 5

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

A concert in aid of the Transvaal War Fund, or, aa it was styled "The Absent Minded Beggar's Fund " was given by the visitors to Queenstown in th« Garrison Hall last Friday evening. The performers were .visitors to Queenstown, the majority from Dunedin, who desiring to help the fund, inaugurated the movement in favour of a patriotic entertainment, and to crown their enterprise the concert was a .great success. The performers had had very short notice but they worked with a. will and great credit is due to one and all for the excellent programme submitted to the audience, more especially is credit due to Mr Theomin and Mr Gully who planned the concert-and carried it to such a successful issue. $ • ■

The Queenstown Band previous to the performance marched round the streets playing patriotic airs and then took up a position in front of the hall which was spicily filling. The body of the hall had been prettify decorated with flags, and during the performance flower sellers tempted the audience with floral emblems of England's colours—the red white and blue. The programme opened with the selection, "Gems of Victorian Melody," by the baijd, Mr Theomin, as chairman, addressed the audience, explaining the object of the concert and expressing his pleasure at finding the Queenstown people so readily responding to the call for help for the soldiers of the Queen. Mrs Theomin stirred the audience to enthusiasm with " Rule, Britannia," the chorus being sung by performers and audience. Sir Kirkcaldy sang "The Boys of the Old Brigade" in excellent style. Miss Hotop's pianoforte solo was justly appreciated. Mr Gully wa» deservedly applauded for his singinfdf" The Sons of the Sea." Mrs Stronach's song "One More" was one of the features of

the evening. The singin; was applauded to the echo, and when responding to an encore .with "Sleep.on, <|?ar Love," she waamiadetherecipientofa bouquet, in her recitation "A Soldier's Silence," Miss Kirkcaldy achieved a decided success and she was vociferously applauded having to respond to an "encore. Mr Lillicrap gave an excellent rendering of " Soldiers of the Queen," the choius being' sung by performers and audience, and in response to an encore he sang " The Death-' less Army." A voilin solo "La Serenata," was skilfully played by Mr G. Ulrich ; eveiyf note was heard throughout the •btiilding and he was vigorously encored. At this stage Mr Theomin armourtced that hfe had received a hundred copies of Kipling's poem "The Absent Minded Beggar " from Dunedin and he would offer them for Bale at one shilling each. For her recitation of " The Absent Minded Beggar" Miss Kirkcaldy was applauded again and again. The copies of the poem were then handed round and in a few minutes all were disposed of. For the envelope in which the copies, had been "sent and which was franked by Major Smith, some bidding took place between. Mr Theomin and Mr Qully, the former eventually securing it for five shillings. Mrs Theomin in her song "Maid of Athens," achieved a decided success and had to respond to an encore. She was the recipient of a bouquet Mr Von Haast's banjo solo received loud and prolonged applause. Miss Todhunter's singing of "A May Morning" brought down the house. This number was exquisitely rendered and the singer was twice recalled.

Messrs Dewar and Hotop then announced that the sale of tickets'with the cash taken at the door amounted to £2l l6s 6d, the .sale of flowers brought £2 15s 6d and the sale of Kipling's poem £6 10s 6d; after remitting £5 to the Dunedin fund for the copies of the poem this would leave a balance of. £26 2s, 6d tov be handed to *the treasurer to to the' money already collected in Queenstown. The announcement was received with lond and prolonged cheering. Mr Hotop then proposed a votfe of thanks to Mr Theomin and the performers, and referred in eulogistic terms to. the way in which they had helped on the Queenstown fund.

Mr Theomin in returning thanks on behalf of the visitors said they had ali thoroughly enjoyed their visit to this lovely land, and they should carry away with them the pleasantest recollections of their stay in Queenstown. He wished also to thank the lessees of the hall, Messrs B. E. Richards and C. H. Robertson, who had kindly lent it free of cost and for assisting in preparing the hall for the concert. The singing of " God save the Queen," concluded one of the most enjoyable performances .that has ever taken place in Queenstown and the audience dispersed, heartily pleased with their evening's entertainment.- The cost of printing, which was reduced for the occasion, and various other expenses, were generously borne by the performers.