Manaia Anglican Church,

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 13, 14 August 1894, Page 2

Manaia Anglican Church,

ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF FUNDS. (Our own Correspondent.) An entertainment in aid of the, funds of the above church came off on Friday evening, and was the most unqualified success, both as regards attendance and accomplishment, ever presented to a local audience. The tableux were most elaborate, well con : ceived, and 'splendidly executed, the coloured lights, manipulated by the hard-working promoter of the affair (Mr R. W. Hornby, churchwarden) greatly beautifying the effect. “ Queen Catherine’s Dream,” which was the completest and up-to-datest thing that one could wish for, was the conception of Misses Henderson and Newing, and reflects the greatest credit on their artistic ideal. Mrs Matheson, an old favourite, sang in her usual easy and taking style. The musical gems were undoubtedly the violin solos of Miss Harrison, whose simplicity or demeanour had a peculiar charm as oue listened to the most difficult fingering, and that, too, on a “ slippery ” string. Miss Knight was vociferously encored. Mr Budge was a veritable Orpheus Redivivous, having thoroughly regained his voice. His song “ fetched down the house.” I wish other soloists would endeavour to copy his distinctness of wording. Considerable praise is due to Mesdames King, Pring, Henderson, Hornby, Newing, and Stott, and Messrs Chapman, and Hornby, who laboured hard to achieve success.