Hampden Notes.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 4999, 9 June 1891, Page 4

Hampden Notes.

{FROM OL-R OWN CORRESPONDENT.) In connection with licensing matters in this district, I see that the old Licensing Committee, consisting of five moderates, have been re-appointed by the Governor, the ratepayer* having failed to elect a Committee. The two licensed houses in the borough have fowl publicans' licenses granted as usual at the last annual meeting, so that a certain amount of new life i» infused into the hearts of the publicans here for the next twelve months at least. The Roman Catholic community in this district held a grand vocal and instrumental concert on Friday evening last, to assist in paying oEF some debt on their Presbytery at Palmerston. which is now the residence of their parish priest. The evenimc was anything but promising or inviting ; but, notwithstanding the draw backs, there was an excellent attendance, some of those present even coming from Palmer-tton. As the performers were all new talent t.t this district, many persons were anxious to hear a change of prrvgratume in this respect, as. no matter how good some of our old stock are, and the great pleasure it i* to hear them, there is always a craving for something new, and the fact that such -would be the case here fwui a great tendency to draw a number of persons together to hear the performers who had come from t )ar«iant, Palmerston, and Dunedtri- Mr William Mureott occupied the chair and briefly introduced the lady and gentlemen performers. The programme consisted of a pianoforte duet, " Half hours with the best composers, by Miss Martin and Miss Rennay : song. "Our Jack's come hotue." Mr M'Xeil: song. Miss A. Fagan ; vocal duet, " Mrs Wright." Miss and Mr Hairgie: song. "The dear littleshanirwefc." Miss Ktmnay: recitation. "Some people will talk." by Master fiealy, a youth of some twelve summers, which was rendered with _remarkable ability ; vocal duet, " \ ery suspicious," Miss K. Fagan and Mr M'Jteil ; pianoforte solo. Miss Fagan : Song, Mr Mureott. arid after an interval of ten minutes, a pianoforte duet. " Qui Vive," was rendered by Misses Rennay and Martin ; song, Mr M'Neil ; voeal duet. Mr arid Mrs Maggie; song. Miss Ren nay ; recitation, "The vulgar boy," Master Healey ; song. Miss A. Fagan ; song. Miss Haggie: bagpipe solo. Mr Uripthart ; and a vocal duet by MLhs A. Fivgan and Mr M'Neil, brought the concert to a close. It would be invidious to mention any of the performers specially ; but I think those coming from Dunediu and Palmerston are really entitled to the palm in this respect, as although being only amateur singers and reciters some were really worth going a considerable distance to hear. After a few remarks from the Rev. Father Donnelly, of Palmerston, thanking those attending for their kind f>atroiiage, and on three cheers having been given for the lady performers the hall was eleared for the customary dance. Messrs F. Culling and .1. < )rbetl acted as M.C.'s, and Miss Retuiay presided at the piano. Light refreshments were provided free of charge for those who patronised the ball, and altogether I heard those who attended throughout the concert and ball say that they had excellent worth for their money, which. I believe, is correct. I may say that the net proceedings of the concert are expected to go a considerable length in assisting the charitable object for which it was held.