HAMILTON.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XI, Issue 630, 27 October 1881, Page 3

HAMILTON.

Cfe'rom a correspondent.) Our concert and spelling bee, announced for the 21 sfc., came off on-that date, and was on the whole, a success. The committee had secured the use of the G. T. Hall and by the time fixed on for commencing the room was tolerably well filled. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Edmonds, who, in a few suitable remarks, announced the object for which the entertainment was got up—viz., to raise funds for providing prizes for the school children. The performance was opened with an overture by Mr Ash, Naseby. Next came the spelling examination of Standard 111. Mr Worsop, from Naseby, acted as examiner, and executed the work . entrusted to him to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. There were three prizes, which were won as follows : —lst, Miss A. Rundle ; 2nd, Miss E Boach ; and third Miss S. H. Edmonds. This was followed by a song, " The gum-tree canoe," which was well rendered by Mr M'Alpine, and being encored he gave" Wait till the moonlight falls on the water " in equally good style. Mr Thomas .Barrett followed with " The wild colonial boy." After him came the singer of the evening, Mr Hosking, Naseby, who rendered in firstclass style "The four Jolly Smiths," and in response to an undeniable encore gave " \ Take when I touch my guitar." Next came a .duet, "The roving minstrels," by Messrs Ash and Webber. This was well executed and took exceedingly well. Miss Roberts gave " Still I love thee "in .her usual firstrate style. Mr S." Saunders rendered " Mother kiss me in my dreams "in a telling manner, and reponded to a universal encore with "Joe Muggins," which caused much amusement. Mr Grumitt, from Naseby, followed with an amusing reading, "The little vulgar "boy," which he executed in excellent form. Master A. Dyke recited " The fall of D'Assas " satisfactorily, and Miss Cain sang very pleasingly "Castles in the Air." Next came the most mirth-provoking songs of the evening, " Lannigan's Ball," and " Barney O'Keefe," by Mr J. Mann, and produced roars of laughter. The Rev. H. J". Davis, gave a reading, "The Nancy Brig," which caused considerable amusement This concluded the first part of the pro- -. gramme. After a short interval the second part was opened with another, selection from the harmonium by Mr Ash. This was followed by the spelling examination of Standard IV. Three prizes were allowed as in Standard 111 . and after considerable competition they were awarded as follows :—lst, Master Fred Schrick; 2nd, Miss E. Schrick; and 3rd, Master A. Hall. Mr M'Alpine gave another soug, which was well received. Mr J. Highley caused great fun by giving "Oh, dear ! what will become of him ?" and "The .reason why." A recitation, " The lifeboat," given by Misses Roach, Rundle, Edwards, and Schrick, and Pearson, appeared to take welL Next came Mr Trotter, Hyde, who rendered in his usual comic style " Just to please the boy." Mr Webber came after : him with " The Old Wooden Rocker." Mr Webber was loudly encored, arid" gave in . response, " Over the hills to the poorhouse." Miss Roberts again earned loud applause by singing " Driven from home," and " Come birdie come." Mr Hosking followed with two more good songs. " The Moon behind the Hill," rendered in finished style by Mr Ash, brought the programme to a close. Mr Ash played accompanments to a number of the songs during the .evening. Mr Edmonds, in a suitable manner, thanked . the strangers present, chiefly from Naseby, especially ■ those who had so materially helped to carry out the programme. Mr M'Alpine proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman. The vote was carried by applause. After the singing of the " National Anthem" by the company, refreshments were served, and then dancing was commenced, and kept up till about 5 a.m., when all dispersed to their several homss, apparently well satisfied with the night's a-nusement.