WAIROA SOUTH: CONCERT AND BALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5635, 8 December 1879, Page 5

WAIROA SOUTH: CONCERT AND BALL.

A most succes'tul lecture, entertainment, and and hall were given on Friday evening, the utli iustanr, in t!ie new hall, VYairoa S uth, chiefly by ladies ami gentlemen from Auckland, in favour of the Presbyteiian Church Harm nium Fund. The eutertaiun.ent opened with a pianoforte solo by Mis 3 McCauill, a lady of the distiict. Mr. Ji.mes Bell, \vh 1 hid been at trouble and expense in procuring and in the gi-naial airaiigements, occupied the chair, a'lJ de'.ivercd tho preliminary address. Mr. Bell said that the piesence of so many of his neighbours from the dietrict, and friends from L'apakura and o'.licr p'.acos, gave bim pleasure ; still, he expected a full hall, considering tho obj ct of the gathering, w Lich was twoinid, namely, a pleasant s>cial evening, and encouraging the choir, who Rave their services gratis, by proem ing a suitable har. nionium for their little church. He had also much pleasure in intro<lucin,' a number of ladies and gentlemen from Auckland, whoso abilities for rendering tho song 3 anil music of auM Scotland, were indisputable. He had pleasure also in introducing Mr. J. Blackmau, as a lecturer on Burns, tho Scottish posr, to their notice, and he felt s-ure that a literary and musical treat would be theirj tb.it night. The name o£ Burns was familiar to all intelligent moil, and especially familiar to settlera who hail from Scotia's ineuioried shores. The poet's fame had long been established, and whi e evtry true man sdn.ired his writingi .and poetical gt-nius, there were certain bluini-hee in his character and life which were nit common Ut.le, n. r altogether lovely. "* Scotland had been fortu iate in her poets, and lirst in tho list stands the honoured name of the Ayrshire ploughman, who did so much in favour of tne people. If Scotsmen kuew little of the liith.is oE Scottish hamlets, the ballads, and the wild and patheS.cairs of music which they loved and which were coinnuu anion. st them were sulfioient to show that their Scottish fathers were strong, hedthy, happy, and dignified in the gmal spirit of naUr.-. (Cheers.) 'Yo Hanks ami Braes" (t;io), was then pathetically given by Miss McMillan, and M<:B:rs. Reid and Carter. Mr. Keid followed with " A man's a man for a' that," which w.is enthusiastically received. In the course of the evening Mr. Reid sang, m a spirited mjiin-r, " llano came oure, guid man," the " Kowan iree," and " (.}• t up, aud bar the d00r. ,. The several of McMillm were greatly admired, especially her ."John Anderson, my Jo," given with true ffeling; her correct rendering of "Jessie," "Come o'er the stream, Charlie," and " Whistle o'er the lave o't." Mr. Carter was very effective in his local contributions to the social hour; his singing of "Afton Water" was characterised by duo feeling, and tenderness of expression. Mr. Carter also gavo, " Corn Kigs are Bonnie," and "Come t/nder My Plaidic," and, with Miss McMillau, gave " Hunliogtower" (duet). A trio, "Willie Brew'd a .feck o' Maut," in character, by Messrs. Iteid, Carter, aud B. 11, produced roars of laughter. Mr. B!ackinau'e well-known lecture on Burns gave great satisfaction, and elicited frequent applause ; but a' this exposition of tho character and genius of the poet baa been previously notic-d at length, it will be unnecessary to repeat its special claims. The entertainment closed with "Auld Lcng Syne," by the company. Wo cannot omit a wurd of praise to Mies Spoucc, who accompanied the vocalists on tho pianoforte, k'udly lent for the occasion by Mrs. Martin, of the Wairoa Hotel. Mise Spence elicited grateful praise from the audience for her correct an I pleasing accompaniments. Rev. Thomas JS T orrie, of Papakura, proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, singers, pianist, and chairman, in a most interesting speech, which was duly acknowledged. An excellent supper was provided by Mr. aud Mrs. Martin, of the Wairoa Hotel, which did them credit. The uuuibers had greatly increased at tho hour of opening the ball, which was kept up with spirit until two in the morning, Mr. Coutts acting as M.U., and Messrs. White and Pulman as violinist*. Wairoa people declare that this was the best entertainment by far that has yet bieu given in the district.—[A Correspondent. ]