CONCERT AT PAPAKAIO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8080, 19 September 1894, Page 1

CONCERT AT PAPAKAIO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Thursday evening being warm and bright, a good audience assembled in the Papakaio Hall to hoar a concert givon in aid of the funds of tho local library. Tho performers were all from Oamaru, got together through the instrumentality of Mr Meldrum, and though not numerous, wore very eflicient. Tho president of tho library (Mr W. Borrio) was in tho chair, and intimated the names of performers and their pieces as required, and besides carrying out these duties filled the corner well. A piece of dance music was played at tho beginning of tho first part by Messrs Pocklington (violin), Pholoung (cornet), and Meldrum (piano), this let* ting tho public for tho first time hear tho tone of tho Koch piano lately purchased from the Dresden Company. Of tho vocal items somo wore good music and others were not, and though it is usually tho caso in country concerts fchat good music is not listened to with much appreciation I am glad to tell you that somo of tho better class of bongs woro well received. Thus Miss Haggio received an encore for her rendering of "Killarney," sung in a way which Mr Balfo himself might have been pleased to havo heard, and Mr liaggio was oncored for " Shipmates," which, among modern songs, might also bo clashed as good ballad music. His encore, " Seen in a Looking Glass," was not anything liko so good a song, though sung in a very pleasing manner. MissPocklington's song, "Sha Woro a Wreath of Roses," pleased better than "Kathleen Mavourneen," nob be* cause bettor rendered (both being well sung), but because accompanying circumstances made it difficult for such a song to bo heard to advantage. Miss Morton has a pleasant roice, and a good stylo of singing, and was heard to advantage in "The Broken Pitcher" and "Dream Memories," though I did not care for the waltzy refrain of tho latter. Miss and Mr Haggio sang two duets, " Monoy Matters " and "Folly in Fashion," both on matrimonial tiffs, which seomed to ploaso the young ladies especially, I supposo because, as usual, they ended up by the lady getting her own way, Mr Sand* ford sang " Tho Cricket on the Hearth " and "Enniscorthy," and you will bo able to guess by tho names for which ono ho was oncored. He also gave a humorous recitation, "Tho Bashful Bachelor." I was exceedingly glad to nee ray ohl friend Mr Downie, who has so ably assisted in so many concerts hero, and though wo may sometimes wish for changes of performers, it was evidont by the hearty applause when his name was given out that tho people hero are always glad to hear him. Ho garo two recitadons, "Domestic Mutual Improvement " and "Shamus OBrien," both boing of very different stylos, and in both Mr Downio was very successful. At the closo the corner man called to Mr Dunn to say .\ few words, and ho obediently did so by asking tho audienco to accord a hearty voto of thanks to tho performers, especially to Mr Meldium, and then Mr JNimmo proposed a rote of thanks to tho ladies who had supplied the eatables that woro afterwards handed round. Dancing was begun after the hall was cloarcd, and as many of the young men had boon practising tho art during tho winter I was pleased to soo thorn trying to cut out their seniors.