THE KENNEDY FAMILY'S FAREWELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6998, 22 April 1884, Page 5

THE KENNEDY FAMILY'S FAREWELL.

Neveb has there been a larger gathering at the Choral Ball than that last evening at the farewell performance of the Kennedy family. Long before the time appointed for the beginning of " the concert the building was crowded in every part, and even the orchestra seats and the passages were occupied., • About half-a-dozen persons who were unable to get seats, but who were determined not to miss the farewell performance, got on the roof of the building and listened at the open windows and ventilators. The first -who adopted this. plan was loudly cheered by those in the body of the hall. The programme was an excellent one, and the audience were delighted. By request, Mr. Kennedy sang " The .Land o" the Leal," and rendered it with deep feeling. Mr. Kennedy again was encored for hie .song "The March of the Cameron Men." The pianoforte duet of reels and strathspeys by the Misses Kennedy, and the duet, "When ye gang awa' Jamie," by Mr. Kennedy, Jan., and Miss Helen Kennedy, were also encored. The Scotch stories related by Mr. Kennedy caused much laughter. At the conclusion of the concert, Mr." Kennedy, in taking farewell, said that henceforth he would be a'stranger to Auckland, but he would never forget the look of the city during the past week—the beautiful weather, the beautiful landscape, and- the beautifnl houses. He would long cherish the memory of that his last night, the last appearance in public for him personally. Perhaps the audience might see gome of the young folks in days to come, but they would never see "the auld man," He must "gang awa'" and leave room—plenty of room—for the young. He.thanked those present vary, very warmly, and assured them that it was' with great pain that he bade that assemblage farewell. Ho again bade thorn farewell, and: asked them to all rise and sing a verse of ." Auld Lang Syne." This request was responded to most cordially. The scene during the singing of this verse was a most toubhing one.