THE EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 3005, 17 December 1896, Page 3

THE EXHIBITION.

/ A CONCERT BY THE PARSONS FAMILY. The influence df the Parsons family has for longer than tho pidt generation porrdoated the mufdcal life of Wellington. To use a hackneyed, yet quite truthful, phrase, no high-class musical event has been looked dport a*? complete without a cont-ibution from tho fatiiily, and Mrs Parsons herself has repeatedly gained tlio highest honours that appreciable audiences can give their popular favourites. It was a happy thought of tho powers that bo at tho .Exhibition that led to tho Parsons fiirnlly confHbV.tlxlg from ihnong themselves an evening’s entertainment, ana »t goes without saying that last night, tho time fixed upon, saw u. full Concert Hull, and a most enthusiastic audience it was. A fine programme deserved all tho recalls and repetitions demanded by listeners, who knew a good thing when they heard it. “ Oh, Dinah, dear,” a tailing, well-sung plantation song, tho Jfirsi item cm the programme, introduced the full strength or the family—".father, mother, six daughters and three sons taking . part in tlio selection* whilst another daughter was at the piaiid, Mrs Khsaell, the latter mentioned lady, has been absent from the city for a dumber of years, and hearty applause Frdtfl tlhi aUdiertoo . testified that she had not boon forgotten. She wan fb'tf acooinpainlflt of the evening, playing with taste and lechr.i;, and with Miss Phoebe Parsons she gave Mozkowaki’s “ Valao Brillanto.” As was fitting, Mrs Parsons was tho first of the soloists in the order of the programme. “ Toll Me, Skylark,’* was given with that sweetness of expression and facility of trilling that her admirers have b»ng praised her for, and although the recall was orapliatioMrsPiirsons simply towed her acknowledgments. For their flinging of Toati's “Venetian Song’ the Misses Parsons were compelled to re-appour, find Kdberlsldhi’fl i“ Wrtfderer’s Night Song” duet wan the result. Me J. It. V*.. Parsons’ contribution was thoj-ong, “ Leaving, yot Loving,” which was succeededbv “The Minstrel Boy,” a quartette arranged by Mr Alt'. Hill, which earned a recall. “ When the Flowing Tide, ’ given by Mies Parsons, well deserved tho honour of tho encore (“ Bid Mo to Love”) vociferously called for. Mi« a A, lC’» “ Kathleen MaVourneeu “ was also encorod, and “ Annie Laurie ” Was tbo response. Sir Arthur Sullivan’s opera “ Haddon Hall ” was levied upon for a quartette by the family, “ When the Budding Bloom,” being an on* joyablo and well-balanced piece of singing. Mr George F; Parsons* bass voice was hortrd to 4'iVantaeo, in both ** Ho* Jolly. Jonkiu” (thd words of whicli word appropriate to tljO storm ragingoutsido) and its ondoro, “ Love’s Sorrow.” Undoubtedly tbo success of the evening was Miss Phceibo Parsons’ exceed' Ingly fine interpretation of Tours’ “ Because of Thoo,” which brotighfc ddwntha housd, and upon her return, she received cluite dn pvation. The tno “O Memory,” given by Mrs arid tho Misses Parsons, another enjoyable plantation tfdrtg, ‘‘ Godd Niglit V (solo by Mr S. Parsons), giVeri by the full strength of tlio family* and 4< Ood Sdyo tho Cjuedn," by t ®h9 company and tho audience* brodght an oiijoy* able evening’s entertainment to a close.

Another batch of tho infanta from Te Aro School were among the visitors yesterday, and ample entertainment was given them by Mr Soiigor in his turri entitled” Milsio,Mirth and MajHc.*’ Au .a .Jirostldigitatorir ho who has hitherto only been known to. Ua as d lanterniqfc, was successful, his tricks being dqiie with a neat trvrich and quickness that qriitD .the juvenile ejro, and begot out of our particular pocket a lengthy black stocking that wo have no remembrance of placing there. Tho youngsters hugely enjoyed the mystifications. Mr Charles Eagar provided tho music for the matinee. The three M’s were followed by Mr Bushby and his friends Punch and Judy. "Vestorday afternoon Lady Glasgow, escorted by a large party from Government JLtoriso, paid her first visit to the Exhibition, ami oVoryone wits pleased td seie that her progress towards health had bden eUell as to enable her to venture forth once more, even though her well-known activity was hampered by lier being oortfined to a Bath chair. Her Ladyship took tho keer.p'sHntorosc in the exhibits which canto under her notice; beiii£ especially attracted by tho displays of the Wellington Woollen Company and the Mosglol Woollen Company, and with tho remark tliat it was‘‘just tho thing for her coming sea trip round the Coitst,” cud purchased art Empress needle, being greatly taken Witli the wool wdrk done by Mr Elston’s patent. Tea was partaken of at thd Empire Tea Company’s kiosk, and then the cycling track oame in for inspection, as well as many otlidr features* and Lady Glasgow expressed her pleasure with all she had seen to Mr S. Brown, tho President of the Exhibition, under whoso direction the inspection had boon conducted. Tho President expressed the hope thrtt her Ladyship would again visit the Exhibition bcfdrn closing day. We aro requested to explain that at the benefit concert to bo tendered to Mr Alfred Hill on Friday everting next, when “ Hinemod” will bo repeated, no money will bo taken at the Hall doors. A few available seats fit tho back of the hall can be booked at one shilling, and unless those desirous of hearing this final production of “Hinomoa” hold reserved seat tickets, they will have to suffer a disappointment, as so many did on the previous performances of tho cantata. The committee wish to make this dies* to tha public, in order that there May be no mis ; understanding at the last moment. t The proposed Military tournament promises to be a great success, as the Volunteers in town are taking the suggestion rip enthusiastically. The Executive have retained tile services of Mr Maurice Nevarias, the organist, for the coming elocutionary and competition. Mr Nevanas will Judge tho singing and pianoforte pieces;. It is probable that Messrs Haybitfclo and Paterson will judge tho elocutionary portion of the contest. Mr James Mills, Manager of the U.S.S. Co., has visited the Exhibition, and was I very pleased with tho whole show, lie has iriforMcd tho Executive that arrangements are being made for the Corinna to bring up rtt Christmas and Now Year lime excursionists at specially reduced rates froM Greymoath, Westport and other places on tho West Coast of the South Irirind, arid , the same boat will-also bring other excursionists up froM Lyttelton. This will bo good news to many people who are looking forward to a visit to Wellington ore tbe Exhibition closes.