AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10968, 24 January 1899, Page 5

AUCKLAND EXHIBITION.

Although there were no special attractions yesterday at the Exhibition the attendance kept up as well as ever. The grand miscellaneous concert this evening should prove particularly attractive, as visitors will have an opportunity of hearing Mr. Walter Kirby!, thei well-known Melbourne tenor. Mr. Kirby will be remembered by many on account of his wonderful voice when a boy. A pure soprano of exceptional range and quality secured for him numerous engagements, amongst others, at the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition, where he appeared as the phenomenal boy soprano. After the usual rest Mr. Kirby had the advantage of three years under Signor Ceechi, the celebrated teacher of Madame Melba and other noted vocalists. Mr. Kirby has a very high reputation as a vocalist-. He is one of the very few pure tenors in Australasia, and has the highest credentials from the Melbourne Leidertafel, Royal Metropolitan Leidertafcl, and the Ballarat, Geelong, and Albury Leidcrtafels. A number of influential residents of -Melbourne have formed a committee with a view to Mr. Kirby proceeding to Europe, and among his patrons he is fortunate in having the Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord Richard Neville, Janet Lady Clark, Sir Rupert and Lady Clark, Hon. Mrs. Rupert Carrington, etc. Other pleasing items will be those by Miss Maud Hewson, a pupil of the celebrated Madame Venosta. Miss Hewson possesses a most charming and powerful contralto voice of great culture and refinement, and is altogether a most finished artiste. It is rumoured that Miss Hewson is likely to take up her residence in Auckland for some time to practise her profession, and. if so, will be a great acquisition in musical circles. Mr. F. G. Radoliffo and Mr. S. Jackson are down for clarionet and oboe solos. Mr. Arthur Towsey will contribute two organ solos, the " Santa Maria" from "Hinorah," and an offertoire by Hainsworth.