CONVERT AT WHAU

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5627, 28 November 1879, Page 3

CONVERT AT WHAU

A COJ.XEKT in aid of the funds of the Whau i'resbyterian Church was held in the hall on "Wednesday evening. The chair was occupied by the Rev. it. Sornmirville, who stated that the annual soiree of his congregation had in past years been held at this season, but the committee thought it would be better to work it into a soiree on the anniversary of his settlement at Whan—viz., the month of February. It was thought, however, that it would not be wiso to disappoint the friends who look for the annual social gathering about this time, so it was resolved to hold a " dry soiree" now, and a more moist one, or one with tea, in February. But there was a difficulty in the case ; the voices of the Whau vocalists were sweetly familiar, and without tea they would not be likely to draw a good house. To get over the difficulty it was resolved to appeal to the large, efficient, and popular choir of St. Jamea'e. The appeal was immediately and heartily responded to, and a very interesting and attractive programme would now be presented. The following was the programme : —" Where art thon, beam of light ?" choir; song, "Won't you buy my flowers?" Miss Donaldson; duet, "Ob, Albion," Messrs. McCoskrie and Drummond ; song, " Remember or Forget," Miaa Mercer; solo (piano), "Jessie's Dream," Mrs. Wooley. As we overheard a gentleman remark—"That lady makes the piano speak." Mrs. Wooley was loudly applauded, and had to submit to an encore. Song, " The Skipper and his Boy," Mrs. Mitchell. This was rendered in Mrs. Mitchell's cultured style, and in reply to an enthusiastic encore she sang, in her happiest spirit, a Scottish song, the title of which did not catch our English ears, but its refrain was " Cauna, manna, winna buokle too." Mr, Jobnstone (a member of Whau congregation) gave a reading from " Pickwick," which was well received. Glee, from " Oberon," by the choir. After an interval of ten minutes the choir opened the second part with the glee, " Here in cool grot." Seng, "Old Scotland, I love thee," Miss Ratcliffe. The Rev. Mr. Monro, of Remuera, then gave a short but humorous addre3s. Song, " Willo - the - Wisp," Mr. McCoskrie. Duet, " Softly and sweetly music should flow," Misses Mercer and Macky. Mr. Bell (of the Whau congregation) gave a recitation which brought down the house, and he was compelled to mount the platform again, when he gave one of Mb humorous songs. Song, " Castles in the Air," Mias MacMillan. 'I his young lady did her part so well that she had to yield to an encore, which led her to give the last verse of that favonrite song, " Castles in the Air." Dnet, " A. 8.C.," Mrs. Mitchell and Mr. McCoskrie. Although, as we were informed, this is a well-known, because a frequently-rendered duet at Whau, the rendering of it on this occasion by Mrs, Mitchell and her pupil was so perfect that they had to yield to the plaucits of the audienco and give it a second time. Part song, "Her Eyes the Glow-worm," choir. The accompaniments were played by Mrs. Woolley and Mr. Rees. Both did their parts with their usual ability and efficiency. Mr. Johnstone, in the name of the committee of the Whau Presbyterian Church, proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the choir of St. James'a, for the very handsome manner in which they had come to the aid of Whau, and also for the very efficient manner in which they had performed their part of the evening's entertainment. This was heartily responded to, and the singing of the National Anthom brought the proceedings to a close. There was a third part (dancing), which was heartily and thoroughly enjoyed. It was well conceived and very pleajant.