SEDDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIX, Issue 134, 9 June 1906, Page 3

SEDDON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONCERT AND SALE GIFTS. A large contingent cf Blenheim musicians and triends wont out to Sed- ■ don by tlio special train last evening to take part in the annual concert and auction .sale ot giits, under the auspices and towards the funds of the Seddon Presbyterian Church. This year's event was made more attractive by reason of being held in the spacious Public Hall, and the audience, which crowded the building, would certainly have found a good deal of embarrassment if the schoolroom wherein previous entertainments of the kind were held had remained the Solomon's choice." The .Rev. Finlayson, resident minister, acted; as i chairman, and on' the stage were seated the Rev. W. 0. Robb, Moderator of the charge, and Rev. Richards, of Renwick. The • Blenheim Orchestra contributed three lively selections at intervals, and the solo numbers of the .programme were ot a quality equal to anything yet heard in the Secldon Hall. Mrs Reid i redeemed a pledge of long standing, and tested the acoustics of the hall in " The Highlander's Toast," responding with "Bonnie Prince Charlie"; Miss Frances Morrison sang Luzzi's " Aye Maria"' with her acceptable profoundness, and responded with " The Rose." Coming after a wellrendered pianoforte duet, "Maypole Dance," by Misses McCabe and Avery, Mr Frank Bull broke the ice for the vocalists with "Davy Jones's Locker," being accorded an encore. Miss Truman sang " Listening" with acceptance, and was followed-by Mr'Tennant, whose baritone was heard in "Romany Rye/ Mr Bull's whistling solo was a popular number, and had to be repeated. Miss Agnes Healy sang with taste " The Dear Homeland," repeating the last verse in response, to a recall.': One of the most pleasing items in the programme was the pianoforte duet played by Misses Ruth and Cicely Foster, Kowalski's "March Hongroise " being their choice. Recitations were given by Messrs W. Armstrong, whose "Calliope" was encored, and Robt. Allan. The latter was popularly heard after a retirement from the elocutionary platform of many years, and his stirring delivery of stirring a Scottish theme was welcomed with enthusiasm. He responded with a humorous Caledonian r.hyme in which he was wont to be heard in Blenheim 40 years ago. The accompaniments, of the various solos were rendered by" Misses McCabe and Morrison, and Mrs Logan. Mr G. M. Gunn, the promoter of the annual event, before calling upon the Rev. Robb to propose the several votes of thanks, referred to the handsomely framed coloured portrait of Robert Burns which had been hung at the rear of the stage, and which had been kindly presented by Mr R. Allan, of Drumclog.. The recipient was accorded a hearty vote of appreciation. . ..-■-.■

Mr Robb, in thanking on behalf of the Church Committee the musicians who had gone out from town to assist, the railway manager for providing the special train, the ladies who had worked so hard, Mr E. F. Healy who had gratuitously placed his services as auctioneer at the disposal of the promoters,1 and others, referred to the progress of the district, contrasting that night's gathering with those ■of a decade since when the church was higher up the Awatere Valley. .

The auction then took place. Mr Healy, with his well-known felicity, at once set the large audience at merry ease, and tricked the coin from their pouches in exchange for the many and varied articles offered for sale. This not the less interesting part of the evening's entertainment over, supper was partaken of, and the proceedings terminated—that is, as far as is officially known,. The bounteous spread o." comestibles left over suggested otherwise.