CONCERT AT THE Y.M.C.A.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 6

CONCERT AT THE Y.M.C.A.

JAPANESE OFFICERS ENTERTAINED. The winter course of lectures, etc., under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A. was opened last night in the lecture hall of that institution with a ( oncert, given under the direction of Mr. Arthur Towsey. The attendance was very good, and included, by invitation of the general secretary (Mr. Brakenrig), some 30 of the officers and midshipmen from the Japanese nien-o'-war now in port. Tho hall and stage were appropriately decorated with the national flags and bannerettes of these visitors. A further compliment was paid to them also by the Rev. W. Gray Dixon, who prefaced the concert programme with a short speech, in which the Japanese officers and their nation were gracefully referred to. ' Mr. Dixon called attention to their presence in the audience, and pointed out that tlie Sags draped on the wall at the back of the stage were the Union Jack and two varieties of the national flag of Japan— the Land of the Rising Sun. He felt sure he had the authority of the audience in saying to their guests in their own language, "We welcome you." They welcomed them because they were always ready to welcome those who belonged to the one great family of mankind. They had a special fellow feeling towards their Japanese friends, for the country they represented might be called the New Zealand of the northern hemisphere, as New Zealand might be called tho Japan of the southern hemisphere. We rejoiced, he said, that Japan was our ally for international enlightenment and'true progress, and he trusted that the alliance would continue and be a blessing to tho Japanese and to ourselves, and that both nations, hand-to-hand across the sea, might manifest to other nations their friendship, and go forward together to the broad sunlight of hone. The Rev. Mr. Dixon's remarks were heartily applauded and endorsed. The concert programme was then proceeded with, the various items meeting with much appreciation, and constituting a' pleasant entertainment. Miss Cissie Phillips contributed the contralto solos, "Asthoro" and "Husheen," tastefully and with expression. Miss Mary Towsey sang sweetly "' Madrigal" and " Resignation" (Dr. De Clive Lowe). Miss Hottie Evans gave charming renderings of " By a Southern Sea" and " Leave Me Not." Mr. T. B. Rowe's baritone solos, "The Outpost" and "The Mighty Deep," wcro artistically delivered. Mr. N. B. Lusk sang "Winged Echoes" and "To-morrow Will Be Friday," and Mr. W. Aspinall gave "By tho Waters" and " The Last Watch." Mr.' W. Steel recited " A Life for a Life" and "Nothing to Wear" with good elocutionary power. The performers were all cordially received and well applauded. At the conclusion of the concert the Japanese officers present were entertained by the committee of the association, and before leaving they privately expressed their thanks for the kindness they had received. The next fixture under the winter course will be a lecture on " Electric Tramways," by I Professor Brown, of the Auckland University College. This will be given on Friday first.