NEW TOWN HALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20958, 22 February 1930, Page 10

NEW TOWN HALL.

THE CHILDREN’S FUNCTION,

AN AUDIENCE OF 3600. The functions celebrating the opening of the new Town Hall were brought to a conclusion yesterday afternoon when 3600 school children gathered in the main hall to hear a concert which had been previously described by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) as ** by children for children.’’ Apart from the teachers, the mayor, and the organist (Dr Price) only six adults were admitted. They were Mr J. Wallace (chairman of the Otago Education Board), Mr F. G. A. Stuckey (senior inspector), Mr W. Ripley (president of the School Committees’ Association), and thoir wives. Had it bean desired to invite others there would probably have not been room for them. Brought to the hall by special conveyances, the children were assembled shortly after 2 o’clock. The proceedings ipere opened by the singing of the National Anthem, and those who heard it are not likely to forget the experience.

Mr J. Bowie (chairman of the Head Masters’ Association) congratulated the mayor on the completion of the. building and t;he installation of the organ, and thanked him for giving* the boys and girls of Dunedin an opportunity to take part in the celebrations. He would also like to welcome Dr Price, who had been brought from Australia to play the organ. (Applause.) They were all proud of the city, but they would be more proud after this opportunity of assembling in the hall and hearing the organ, which was beautiful both in appearance and tone.

“ I want to congratulate you on oceupying your Tpwn Hall,” said the mayor, who was received with applause. “This is a gift to you as the future controllers of the destinies of Dunedin. It is a gift from your parents. It is a gift that will last, and to make it last is your job. You must keep it as it is to-day." After giving some words of advice to the children, the mayor stated that he was going to ask the head masters to allow them to repeat the concert in aid of some charity. He wanted them to go away feeling that it was their own hall. Dr Price gave a short recital on the organ, his numbers being “Melody in F” (Eubenstein) and the finale of the “ William Tell” overture, (Rossini). The children showed their appreciation of the items in no uncertain manner. The programme by the children was as follows:—Brass band selection, Albany Street School; rhythmic dancing, (a) Exercises of -Repose, (b) Exercises of Exhilaration, Archerfield School; chorus, “ Hark to the Mandolin ” (Henry Parker), Christian Brothers’ High School; folk dance, “ Winifred’s Knot,” Normal School; chorus, “Before the Sun Awakes the Mom,” North-East Valley School; violin solo, “Minuet in G” (Beethoven), Miss Julia Holmea (St. Dominic’s College) ; playette, “ Union is Strength” (a one-act play), Anderson’s Bay School; physical display, drill and country dance, St. Hilda’s Collegiate School; dance, “Imp Dance,” St. Clair School; overture—“ The Fail Maid of Perth” (soloists: lan Burke (tenor horn; J. Mulligan, first cornet; H. Moloney, euphonium), St. Joseph’s Orphanage Boys’ Brass Band; part song, “.Cradle Song” (Brahms), George Street School; action song, “ Felix the Cat, Caversham School; folk dance, “ Goddesses,” Macandrew Road School; orchestral selection, “ I See Thee Again,” St. Philomena’s Convent; part song, selected. Cdlumba College; recitation, “In the Tram,” Miss Joy Knowle (Moray Place School); rhythmic dance, “Chanson Triste,” accompanied by choir of 40 «°l Ce «’ Arthur Street School; action song, AGookery Song,” St. Patrick’s School; anthem, ‘ Hear the Trumpet Loudly Calling,” Kaikorai School. V