MR BRACKEN'S COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 14

MR BRACKEN'S COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT.

Thfr immense audience which crowded the Garrison Hall on the evening of the 31st ult., on the occasion of the complimentary benefit concert tendered to Mr Thomas Bracken, was testimony of the high esteem in which that gentleman is held by the citizens of Dunedin. The concert was under the patronage of the Hon. the Premier of the colony, besides several other members of the Ministry, hjs Worship the Mayor, the Burns Club, and the Savage Club. Owing to the large number of musicians who desired to assist— the offers of help in this direction not being confined to Dunedin, but assistance was rendered by residents of Christchurch, Invercargill, and Melbourne — the programme was a lengthy one, and the concert in consequence was unusually protracted. In all other respects, however, the entertainment was a success, and the credit of its being so is due to Mr Chas. Umbers and his Committee of Management. Notwithstanding the length of the programme encores were demanded freely, and as readily responded to, but in most instance's the compliment was well deserved.

During an interval the Hon. T. Fergus addressed the audience for a brief period. He was pleased to say that some of his earliest reminiscences in New, Zealand were associated with their mutual friend Mr Bracken, whom he had met so far back as 1869 or 1870. Since then Mr Bracken had held a high position in the esteem and respect of the citizens of Dunedin. — (Applause.) They had recognised in him a man of fine feeling and of deep sympathy, possessing a true, warm, generous Irish heart.— (Applause ) He had ever been ready to help a brother in distress, and he (the speaker) was pleased to see such a large audience present to testify to his many good qualities. He had received a letter from Mr Bracken, which he would read. It ran thus :—: — Dunedin, 31st January 1894. Dear Mr Fergus, —My medical adviser baa issued instructions that I am not to go out of doors at night for some time to come, and doctors, as you know, art autocrats who must be obeyed. I shall, therefore, esteem it a great favour if you will kindly return thanks, on my behalf, to the audience assembled at the Garrison Hall this evening. I have received so many kindnesses at the hands of the people of Dunedin that I should be ungrateful indeed if I failed to treasure a warm feeling for the inhabitants of a pity in which I have spent about one-half of my life. To the ladies and gentlemen who are taking part in the entertainment toy special thanks are due, and notably to the visitors from Victoria, Christchurch, and Invercargill, with whom I have not the pleasure of being acquainted. It is almost superfluous to add that I am deeply grateful to Mr Charles Umbers and the gentlemen wbo are associated with him in the Committee of Management. They have left no stone unturned to make the affair a success.

As nearly all the newspaper men of Dunedin are personal friends of mine I shall not thank them or they will continue to say more kind things of me than I really deserve. I am, dear Mr Fergus, Faithfully yours, Thos. Bracken.

Hon. Thos. Fergus. Mr Fergus added that Mr Bracken had for some time past been suffering from a severe affliction. He was only now recovering from the illness, and the speaker was sure the peonle of Dunedin would join with him in wishiDg him long days of prosperity and health, and that his sojourn here would be a lengthy one. The remaiks of Mr Fergus were greeted with loud applause, and the proceedings terminated with Mr Bracken's national anthem " God defend New Zealand," the solo part being taken by Mr Umbers. During the evening the accompaniments were played by Misses Kate Moloney and I. Matheson and Mr A. Vallis.