N.Z. NURSES' MEMORIAL FUND CONCERT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1015, 7 November 1917, Page 6

N.Z. NURSES' MEMORIAL FUND CONCERT.

• The concert in aid of the Now Zealand Nurses' memorial fund at the Opera. 1 louse last evening drew a fairly large audience, but considering the general excellence of tho entertainment, ami the good object for which it. was given, tho public might have responded si ill more generously. The con- ! cert, which was organised by Airs K. ,). I Nathan, provided a wealth o£ diverse items, vocal, instrumental, and monologue, and jibe entertainment on the whole was quite unique, and one.of the best amateur efforts seen iu Palmerston. The Awapuni Orchestra was in splendid form, and. under the baton of Corp. Fleming, performed in an. excellent manner, the opening overture. "lAimbulanza,*' being specially ritorious. The contributions of Airs P. ,). Nathan consisted of a reading from "David Copperlield," and a chiTracter sketch entitled, "My Photoeraph." hi the former item Mrs Nathan

showed herself to be an elocutionary artist of rare merit, and her interpretation ol Dickens left nothing to be desired, while her character sketch wa s also admirably given. Mrs Nathan was insistently encored for both her contributions. Miss llaybittle, of Wellington, who is well known here as a keen amateur performer, further enhanced her reputation, and was loudly encored for all her numbers. Her song, "I've been very busy Knitting." while, intensely humorous, was also specially applicable to present condition.-,. Miss li'aUord, the. other J«idv vocalist, who litis a sweet contralto voice,, sang '■' Chasing Bntierflie.V for which she- received an encore. Misses Vera Graham and V. Kendall (L.A.ii.'s) played a piano dud. "Pas dc Cymballs," their execution and finish being splendid. The young ladies had to respond with another item, Pvt. Monkman's items. Van Bienc's "Melody." and

"Lo Sygne," were most admirably performed, while the contributions of Pvt. Kearney supplied the humorous element in a. really humorous manner. The soldier-comedian, who was brought back again and agaim responded with a funnier song each time. Other contributions were from Mr Bow liter, and a scries of sketches by Mr W. Thompson, one of which was auctioned. The tableaux, which were staged by Mr Warden, were most efl'ectime, the first one showing a Red Cross camp at work, including nurse-.. staff, and motor ambulance. The second was entitled ".Liberty," with Miss Peggy Nathan as the central figure. The accompaniments: were played bv Miss Graham and Pvt. Chalk.

Prior to the interval, Capt. duel; Dennett cave an interesting account of field hospital work--from the receiving of a wound to transportation through the lines and receiving stations right to the, New Zealand hospitals in England. Tile speaker paid a (.'lowing tribute to the work of nurses in iho base hospitals, which are often under lire, and also to the V.A.D. workers: in the English hospitals. He also spoke of the late Dr. Martin's valuable work in connection with the reforming of field ambulances. At the conclusion of the performance, Mr J. A. Nash thanked the audience for their patronage, and Mrs Nathan for organising the entertainment. Tin 1 sweet stall, which was stocked by Miss Joseph, was in charge of the ladies, who (lisp-used of large quantities of these, dainties.