ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, MOUNT ALBERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6150, 3 August 1881, Page 5

ST. LUKE'S CHURCH, MOUNT ALBERT.

Ax entertainment in aid of the organ fund of St. Luke's Church, Mount Albert, took place last night-inthe local Public-hall. It was manifest that a great amount of interest wa3 taken in the affair, for the hall itself was admirably decorated with evergreens and flowers, and Mr. Quick's four-horse coach, with a good team and a reliable whip, was laidonto take visitors from town. An omnibus from the Wiiau also brought its' quota. The settlers, with their wives and families, mustered in large numbers, and the result was that the hall was crowded, and many were compelled to content themselves with standing room. As a preliminary Mr. Lambert performed a solo on the organ. Then followed the comedy, " Ruth's Romance," the characters being sustained by Mr. and Mrs. Pearson and Mi-. Forrest. The lady had the heaviest r6Ce, and she certainly displayed more than the ordinary proportion of amateur talent. The concert portion was very enjoyable. It was opened by a piano solo, played by Miss Jessie Taylor in very good taste. Miss Stevenson sang "Never More." Her voice was uncertain, although strong, but the audience evidently appreciated the new cantatrice, for they insisted on an encore. She substituted "Bannockburn," in which she was much more successful. The duet, "Bright Seems Thy Life," sung by Miss Halstead and Mis 3 Davis, was a real musical treat, and received the most pronounced applause; but the feature of the whole concert was the song "At the Ferry," by Mis 3 Halstead. This lady has a fine presence, and a rich voice of large compass. It has manifestly "been trained, for it is under perfect control, and nous of the amateur singers improved so much on acquaintance. Mrs. A. K. Taylor sang "The Cup of Tea" in character with much verve, and was deservedly applauded. The scer.S from "The Merchant of Venice" was too ambitious for the representatives of Shylock an'd Bassanio. Mr. Brooks sang "Good-bye, Sweetheart," and was encored. The farce "Odd Lot" concluded the entertainment! In this Mr. A. Stone made up and acted admirably as the retired auctioneer. Mrs. Taylor made a feature of the part of the arena girl, Zephyrina, and the Becky of Mr 3. C. B. Stono was a really tine specimen of 'servantgalism. The entertainment was in all respects a success.