IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18197, 18 March 1921, Page 5

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT

His Majesty’s Theatre fell far short of accommodating those intending to patronise .the Irish national oonce’rt last evening, and somo hundreds had to be "turned away. The entertainment proved quite what was claimed for it at the front of the programme (“excellent and varied”), and not one of the 17 items was passed over without the performer having to reappear, with the result that it was close on 11 o'clock when the concert closed with the singing of “God Save Ireland.” By that time a fair proportion of the audienco had left the building. The opening selection was “Beauties of Ireland,” which was very well played by the Kaikorai Band. Mr IV. Watters, who comes from Oamaru, delighted those present with his singing of “The Wearin’ of the Green” and “O’Donnell Abu,” and Miss Renetta Rings, of Christchurch, won loud applause for a pleasing gendering of “Killarney.” “Oft in the Stilly Night” was exceedingly well sung by the Idlers Quartet Party, which also gave “Let Erin Remember.” Mr J. Roxburgh, who hails from Oamaru, contributed “Maire, My Girl,” and “The Irish Emigrant” quite successfully, and Miss Phyllis West’s singing of “My Dark Rosaleen’* was very fouaiy applauded. Mr 0. C. Scott’s vocal solo was “The Last Ro|e of Summer,” whjch he had to supplement with a bright little Irish ditty, the first portion of the programme being brought to a close with an Irish jig, danced by' Mr Colin M’Kenzie. . Three young ladies— Misses C. .Noonan, M; A. . Garr, and L. Campbell—usings three pianos, gave a highly creditable performance of “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms” «and “Garry Owen,” and Hiss Glavin, 6f Wellington, introduced an innovation by playing a selection on the Irish pipes. “The Kerry Dance” was nicely sung by Miss Betty Baird, and Mr S. G. Angell made a most favourable impression with “The Minstrel Boy,” and an even greater ope with hii encore number, which was “Father O Flynn.” Mrs Andrews sang “Come Back tl Erin” with her customary good tasto aiid success, and late as it was when 'Mr R. Rawlinson appeared, “The West’s Awake” gained for him a decided recall. The remaining item was a four-handed Irish reel, in which the participants were four young lady students from St. Philorncna’s College. It will be seen from the items that it was a programme composed strictly of melodies 1 belonging to the Emerald Isle, and. the selections were admirably made and thoroughly suited to the occasion. The a&bmpaniste was Miss Clara Hughes, the musical director Mr *D. Whelan, the band conductor Mr H. F. Davie, and the stage manager Mr J. Kilmartin. During a break in the concert Mr Jno. A. Brown moved: “That this mass meeting of the people of Dunedin condemn the frightfulness of the army of occupation in Ireland, and demand that the British Gov- ' eminent withdraw its armed forces and honour its own pledges to the forces who died for the freedom of small nations, by allowing the Irish people to govern themselves according to their own wishes, without outside interference,” the motion being seconded by Mr T. ShieL Dr Whyte, before putting the motion, spoke briefly. He expressed his pleasure at being present, and at seeing so very large an attendance at the concert. Speaking of Ireland, he said just as boys became more fond of their mothers a$ their age advanced, so they at the present time were gathering closer round their dear old country. The persecution she was suffering now made her dearer to them, and that Irish spirit was worth preserving. Sentiment was not, however, sufficient. Action was called for, and they were asked to pass the motion that had been proposed with regard to selfdetermination. That, was a new name for an old idea, and it was for people to govern themselves. That was what they had heard so much about at the beginning, of the war, which was for the protection of small nations. He urged that that principle applied to Ireland. Speaking of the insurrection :n Ireland in 1916, he said that when they had heard of instances of brutality Irishmen throughout the world hod thrown in their lot with the Sinn Fein, and had never looked back. Ho warned them not to believe what they read in the daily papers of New Zealand, which seemed determined to throw dust in the eyes of the people. It was not now necessary for Irishmen to speak. They could take English and American writers and condemn England out of the mouths of Englishmen themselves. Dr Whyte then put the motion, which was carried on the voices “without dissent.