THE WHAU MINSTRELS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1343, 6 March 1868, Page 3

THE WHAU MINSTRELS.

CONCERT AT THE LUNATIC ASYLUII FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PATIENTS. A Concekt, for the benefit of the patients at the Lunatic Asylum, was given on Wednesday evening in the large dining room of the Institution by those popular amateurs—the Whau Minstrels. The object for which, the concert was given was one which could never fail to recommend itself to the sympathy and warm support of the philanthropic portion of the people of Auckland. A large and highly respectable audience—to the number of about 150, among whom Were a great many of the fair sex —were seated at the time announced for the commencement. The patients, to the number of about forty or fifty, were also present and eeem-d greatly to enjoy the unusual treat thus presented to them for their benefit and amusement. They conducted themselves in a very decent, orderly, and respectable manner, and were evidently greatly amused. Among the visitors we noticed the family of His Honor the Superintendent, Mrs. Dr. Philson and family, Mrs. Dr. Pollen and family, Mr. and Mrs. Burnside, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Kussell, and many others from town. At a little before eight o'clock the "Niggers" made their appearance and were received with great applause. The following vras the programme: Part 1 — " Happy are we," Company; " Stop Gallop," Company ; «little Log Hut," Mr. Cooke; "We are coming si»ter Mary," Mr. Wright;

"Come home fither" (little Mary's song), ' Mr. Barraclough j "Up Swash," Mr. JT. Gittos; "Kitty Wells," Mr. Adon; "Louisiana Belle," Mr. Cooko; "Grove of Lilly Dale," Mr. Cooke; " Hen Convention," Mr. BaTraclough; " Kick up amongst the darkies," Company. Part 2—Nigger Quadrilles, Company ; " Johnny comes marching home," Mr. Barraclough; " Cornelia Cobb," Mr. Gittos: " The Rhinoceros," Messrs. Cooko and Gittos; " Hat and Feather," Mr, Cooke; Plantation wnlk-round of " Whoso dat foot a-burn-ing." Mr. Wright's performance on the harmonium (kindly lent by Miss Jjowry for the occasion) was a great addition to the success of tho concert, and materially raided the vocalists, all of whom he accompanied on tho instrument. The concluding walk round " Wh"so dat foot a-burning," was a gre,\t hit, more especially among tho patients, who seemed to enjoy the fan amazingly. As the performance was entirely a labour of love, and given for Buch a worthy objoct, it would not bo right on our part to attempt a criticism on the porformers. Tho " get up " was in almost every respect good, the only dofect, if such it may bo called, wati the want of a littlo vormillion about tho lips md eyes of the "niggers," as those parts of " the human face divine" wore not visible to tho audience, being of the samo color as the remainder of the features. . At the conclusion of the concert, Dr. Fischer got up and thanked the Ministrels on bohalf of tho officers and patients, for the liberal and kind manner in which they had come forward to assist them, and he had no doubt but that the proceeds would bo something handsome. Mr. Barraclough roplied on behalf of himself and colleagues, and said they would never hesitato to come forward whenever their services could be of any use to that or any othor charitable institution. The performance was brought to a close by singing tho National Anthem, in which tho audionce joined,