“CHEER GERMERS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11305, 2 September 1922, Page 10

“CHEER GERMERS”

SPLENDID ANTIDOTES UNREST AND UNHAPPINESS DISSIPATED. THE PINAL RADIATION. The “cheer germers” have packed up their troubles in their old kit-bags until April next year, when they wall ret assemble with renewed vigour. So they declared at the final community sing at the Town Hall this week, when quite a couple of thousand radiated smiles and happiness all around and promised to continue doing so “until we meet again” next winter. During the summer months they will drive away “old man care,” and when disposed to anger or worried when thingß go the wrong way they will “sing, sing” themselves hack into good humour and all will be well. Back to their memories will come recollections of the last community gathering when the ladies sang and the men whistled that old hut evergreen favourite, “Annie Laurie.” Only they will prefer to “live” and not ‘‘dee” for her.

At the picnics they will revive the old-spirited gag “One man went to mow a meadow,” and the chorus of “The Powder will be one of the 'popular street aim once more. If “John Brown’s Baby gets a Gold upon his Ghesrt” he will need to get rid of it before the next community Bing begins. “The Sands of the Desert” 'will bo transplanted to the- seashore, and very soon too if this week’s sunny weather holds out, and “Peggy O’Neill” will be as popular there as sne is' in the Emerald Isle. . NEW HARMONISING.

Everyone is more or less familiar frith the around singing of “Three Blind Mice/* but they will be surprised to hear Ihow well ‘ ‘'London’s * harmonises when sung, in the same fray.

It is not only on a “perfect day” that the cheer germs assemble for tine sings. They are always cheerful, wet or fine, in fact there is more need for the radiation of the cheer germs in dull weather. * ‘Early in the morn - ing” or late at night, they must never be subdued, even though they dumber, and if. the morrow holds a journey for them they will “pack up their kit - bags” and forget their troubles. Maybe some, will, 'by. next year, have separated to some, other part of the country, or even overseas, but they will not go without saying “Auld Lang Syne” to many friends they will leave behind. A HEARTY FINAL. The final . midday “sing” was, especially hearty; and Bros. Hughes and. Russell, were eight, cylindered germs, spaTking on all. The harmonies were excellent,- and the improvement that lias been made since the movement started .was most, apparent. Unquestionably tjje,people of the Dominion are more familiar with folk songs and popular ditties than they have ever been before, and the influence that oomimuinity sings will have on social—and even business—life as time goes on cannot be calculated. The “cheer germ” will not be repressed either at business or at home, and the World will be, a better place to live in ■because of its dissemination. Mr G. W. W. B. Hughes was song leader,, except in “John Brown’s Body,” in which hjr-Albert Russell took charge, and hebad'tiie'gehns well mixed, before they were through with it; They had ■ the community spirit, badly when the kiddies’ song “Early in the Morning” came up for dissection, hut the experiment with it as a “round”' song ■ proved that it did not lend itself to -the idea, although the singing was vigorous ' Two very nice songs were contributed by ■ Mies Lilian Hjanham,. of Christchurch, who is taking part in the competitions, and the audience showed their appsscfetion. of her efforts by giving full .marks. '* RESULT OF A HANDSHAKE. ,

Incidentally the proceedings opened —as they always have done —with thi National Anthem, whereupbn Mr Hughes asked, the audience to shake bands , with their neighbours on either side. This request was readily complied with. Then Mr Hughes added that this procedure was followed at the Opera House- “sing” one day, and a young lady ani gentleman who happened to be. sitting next to each other of course shook hands, as did the reef,. “They’re married now.’’ exclaimed Mr Hughes, and a roar of laughter went up from the cheer germs. ' Just before “Auld Lang Syne” wan sung, ■Mr Hughes stated that this would be the last midday sing, hut he wanted them to carry with them through the summer monthß the sentiment ' expressed in “Pack up your Troubles.” Mr Albert,Russell said he had not long returned from, Auckland, where the cheer germ bad radiated so extensively that it was almost an. aeroplane germ how.! At, the height of the com-' munity singing there had been over 170 towns and suburbs having an hour’s sing at the same time during the week. The cheer germ had grown to enormous proportions throughout the country, and he would ask them: ‘“Do you consider, each of you, that you are a cheer germP” (“Yes.”) Then, as; “cheer-germers,” they could not be;unhappy. (Hear, hear.) If at’ any time they were g&ing to be angry with anyone, let them , think twice, and, if they were going to be worried about anything, think three times. Then, if they did not get angry or worry, .they would be the happiest oheer germs alive. He wanted them to remember that until next April; to radiate happiness all through the summer. As community singing grows in New Zealand, so will unhappiness and unrest d*anpear. (Applause.) Mr O. Webb, chairman of the committee, expressed thanks to the accompanist, Mr Frank E. Crowther, for his able services, and asked if the public desired the community sings to he resumed next year. (“Yes,” and loud applause.) Then the committee would be pleased to assemble them again when next , winter came round. Cheers and musical honours were accorded the song leader, Mr Hughes* and the last sing concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.