BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1602, 5 August 1882, Page 13

BALCLUTHA.

(from our own correspondent.) August 3rd.

BORN 9 STATUE CONCERT.

On Friday last what was advertised as " a grand concert of Scottish songs, in aid of the Robert Burns Statue Fund," was given in Barr's Hall here. Truly it may be termed a very successful performance. Great preparations had been made by the promoters of the concert (Messrs J. S. Fleming and Wm. Nicol) to make it attain a successful issue, and it must have been very gratifying to these gentlemen to see what in immense audience was present on the occasion, «nd how smoothly and satisfactori'y everything passed off. As I have already mentioned in a previous issue, tho h ill had been considerably enlarged lately, principally in anticipation of the lar B r e concourse of peoplo expectod to be present at the concert, tho fornisr holding capacity of the hall being considered totally inadequate for the rcquiiements of this great special occasion. That it was well that this provision was made was amply evident from the attendance, it bain,' cßtlnutod that about 375 persons were in the body of tho hall (or fully 100 more than it could previously hold), and this was exclusive of the performers, of whom there were over 40 ; the choir b;ing seated on raised seats arranged on the stage, and the other lady and gentlemon performers finding accommodation in the ante-rooms. The programme, comurisinjf 20 items, was a uood one and well arranged: the only fault one might be inclined to find against it being the scarcity of lady soloists, only one (Mrs W Nicol) gracing the programmo with her name iv that respect, although this defect was in a measure supplied by the duo -dnging of Mrs Webb and Miss Brewer. Among the audiancc many came from a long distance. I noticed several residents from Hiliend, Te Houka, C.inton, Catlin'x Kivur, Pnerna, K»it»m;at», Wang*loa, and the intei mediate districts prese nt. The audience was very enthusiastic, and at no time slow in testifying cheir apprec ; ation of every well-rendered selection. The concert was commenced by the band playing some very lively strathspeys and reels in good style, and which were much appreciated ; the instrumentalists being Mrs R. Grigor (piano), and Messrs James Hogg (piccolo), P. Kelly and T. Douglas (fl-st and second violira) The second number served to introduce the Dunedin contingent Messrs T. Stewart (Ist renor), W. Morrison (2nd tenor), W. Packer (alto), and A. D. Denovan (bas*) in the quartette " Duncan Gray." The voices were in fine harmony, and the piece being well rendered, an encore was demanded, when they repeated the latter part of the quartette. These gentlemen were succeeded by Mrs Nicol, who is known as the best exponent of Scotch song in these parts. Her contribution was " Within a mile o' Edinbro' Toon," which was so well received by the audience that they were not satisfied until the lady reappeared and favoured them with " Robin Adair," which was much appreciated by all. Later on Mrs Nicol sang "Dinna oross the burn, Wilde," and being, as usual, encored, again complied. Mr Denovan's name was down in the flrat part of the programme for the Bong " Tibbie Fowler, ©' the Glen"; and in the seaond part for the recitation " Tarn o' Shanter." He was very suocossful with " Tibbie Fowler," and was clamorously encored, when he gave "John Tamson's bairns" in a mirth' provoking manner, As to the recitation, there can. be no doubt but that it was better handled by Mr oenovan than has eya.r bean before heard hero— in. fact it was a mastorly performance ; but, in the language of the uasthete, it was " just a little toocoo." Considering the Urge number of young people present, I think it would have been better taste to have chosen a more appoprite pieoe than "Tarn o' Shanter." IU Denovan, being encored, gave tho *Hifc " The Laird o1o 1 Ooakpen. A choir numborlntf 30 performers gave the choruses "Kalvln Grove," "Bonnie woods of Orljfielea/' "Blrks o' Abor« foldy," and "Will yo no' oome bwk again " luring the evening, and as the parts wers avenly balanced, they were very enjoyable. The two latter seemed to find the most favour. Considerable time and trouble had been given to these choruses by the conductor (Mr Alexander Nicol), and it must have been pleasing to him to see how well they were executed and received. Mr T. Stewart sang "My Nannie* awa' " in a faultless manner, his rendition of tho piano passages being done in a way that might well bo copied by some of our local aspirants to vocal fame. Being recalled, he complied with "The flowers of tne forest," which was equally well given. In tho second part of the programme lie sang "O' a' the airts"very successfully, and being enccred gave " Afton Water," wl i :h, if we excopt the duet " Banks and braes," was the best item on the programme. Mr W. Morrison gave "Bonnie Scotland, I adore thee " so well that he had to repeat the kst verse ; and in tho second part his dolivery of "My Highland home " was really splendid. Mr Wm. Packer's effort in " Jessie, tho flower of Dutnblaue," was not altogether a happy one, as his voice was decidedly flat it the end of each verse ; but he got through the beautiful ballad, " Toll me, Mary, how to woo thee," in a more successful manner in the second part of the programme The band opened the second part by playing a number of Scotch waltzes ; and then Messrs Stewart, Morrison, and Denovan gave the trio, " Willie brewed a peck o* maut" in inimitable style. It was really well done, and they had to repeat the last verse. Mrs Webb and Miss Brewer were Joivn for the duet " Ye banks and braes," and it was the unanimous opinion that this was the gem of the evening. The harmony was very good, their voices ulendig exquisitely; and the ladies had, in response to a vociferous round of applause, to reappear, when they gave " Lassie, will you lo'e me" in an equally fascinating manner. The Rev. George Morice was to nave given a condensed reading of "The Cottar's Saturday Night," but as he was indisposed the number had to bo withdrawn. The singing of " Auld Lanir Syne" brought a most successful and enjoyable entorUunent to a closu at half-past 10. Before tho company dispersed Mr Fleming, in a few well chosen remarks, thanked the audience for their attendance, and asked them to join in giving a hearty vote of thanks to the ladieg and gentlemen who had so willingly giv en their services that evening, making especial mention of the quartette party that had come all the way from Dunedin to assist. He also asked for a vot jof thanks to the conductor of the choruses (Mr A. ex. Nicol), and Mrs Robert Griv:or, who had so efficiently played the accompaniments during the evening. Me*BM Denovan and C. F. M'Lean (hon secretary Burns' Statue Fund) suitably replied, tho latter gentleman giving some interesting particulars aa to the cost of the statue, &c, which would bo £1350— £000 of this being already raised. The proceeds of the concert realised £35 odd.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Our footballer* are jubilant. In spite of tho drenching; rain on Saturday, the return match between the iiitigari and Balclutha Clubs was played in two spells of a half-hour each, and was stubbornly contested throughout. The result was a drawn game. Tho local team played a man short, and they say had their fifteenth mau turned up they would have " put the visitors through " The "shining lights " were— Marsh, Ilatner, Howlison, Stewart, and Duncan (Zinuari); King, Matheson, Macpherson, Campbell Poppelwell, and M'Noil (Balelutha). After the match, a dinner was served up in host Kilgour's best style, which satisfied everyone. Although a search-party has been organised to try and find the body of tho late Mr Ferguson, as yet they have beon unsuccessful. 1 am afraid hi* body will not be recovered now, owing to the flooded state of the river lately. Thi vacancy in the Colonial Bank through his diath has been tilled by Mr Planted, of Invercargill. The inquest on tho fire at Grant's Hotel was held last Tuesday, resulting in an open verdict being returned. Pending the erection of new premises, Mr Grant conducts his business just now in a house adjoining the Bcene of the late fire. Rather an amusing assault case came off at the Resident Magistrate's Court here last Wednesday, the plain tiff being the wife ot a well-known bootmaker, and the defendant also being a knight of St. Crispin. The case arose through a cow belonging to defendant (P. Mason) entering plaintiff's (Mrs D. B. Sievwright) garden and demolishing a number of vegetables. According to the plaintiff's evidence, on Maion going to tako away the cow the plaintiff refused to let it go unless ho paid damages, whereupon Mason laid hii hands upon her shoulder, holding her while his boy drovo the cow away, thereby committing an assault. Maaon stoutly denied this, averring that he never laH a hand upon plaintiff, but that she had threatened to strike him with a rail. His evidence was supported by that of his son and a man named Chapman ; while in cross-examination plaintiff's daughter admitted that her mother had lifted a rail with which to strike Mason. The Bench dismissed the case, the plaintiff having to pay costs, at the same time remarking the case should never have been brought before him, and that he did not think Mr Mason would be guilty of assaulting any woman in the manner named.