THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. TUESDAY JUNE 25, 1946. Whangarei And The Concert Platform

Northern Advocate, 25 June 1946, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. TUESDAY JUNE 25, 1946. Whangarei And The Concert Platform

In February last we discussed the cultural loss which the people of Whangarei and Northland have suffered through world-famous singers, instrumentalists and other artists failing to include Whangarei in their Dominion itineraries.

We suggested that local authorities, in the shape of the chamber of commerce and the public generally, should do more than they had done in the past to induce distinguished artists to visit Whangarei. and so provide opportunities for Northlanders to share the feasts enjoyed by city-dw'ollers. That there is need for effort of this nature does not require stressing. Whangarei being at the northern end of the New Zealand railway system so far as large towms are concerned it is obviously a costly matter for an artist or group of artists to make a journey requiring steps to be retraced on the following day with a night lost at Auckland before a Dominion circuit could be commenced or continued. The box-office is necessarily an important feature of any tour, and the promotion of its receipts must be the constant care of a manager. For this reason alone, it is obvious that unless a large audience can be assured at Whangarei, an overseas artist cannot afford to make the northern journey. When to this is added the factthat Whangarei people have not manifested in celebrities' visits the

interest and support that might have been expected, the reason for paucity of visits is readily understood.

The people of Invercargill, who are placed in a position similar to that of the people of Whangarei, their city being at the southern end of the railway system, have realised the need for public participation in efforts t 0 induce celebrities to visit their city, primarily for the cultural benefit of the population. It was probably with this same object in view, as well as to offer hospitality to a notable artist, that local musical people last night entertained Miss Angela Parselles and her party. A worthy programme of vocal and instrumental items was interspersed with competitions, and everybody was given an opportunity to meet the distinguished singer. The provision of this party was indeed a happy thought, and the visitors could not but feel that music lovers appreciated their coming to a town which is already one of the chief provincial centres of the Dominion.

Tonight the people of Whangarei

j. id district will have the opportunity to share in a concert treat that has evoked enthusiasm throughout New Zealand. If they manifest the interest which the great singer's concert deserves they will do much to augment the effort made last evening to place Whangarei on the map of the musical world.