MIDDLEMARCH..

Otago Witness, Issue 2170, 26 September 1895, Page 24

MIDDLEMARCH..

September 23.— A most enjoyable concert was riven here on the 13th under the management of miss Bolton, a young lady wtll known in the diß> tact There was Dot a very good house, which la

a matter for regret, but what evidently was wanting in numbers was quite counterbalanced by the appircnt appreciation with which all the items were received. Mrs Murphy, from Dunedin, wai billed to appear, but was unfortunately prevented owing to illness She, however, aent a worthy substitute in Mis 3 Reid, and I am sure all present at the concert sincerely trust this is not the last a Middle -narch audience has heard of this young lady. She sang in the first part " Old Madrid," and in the second "Barney o'llea," both of which, it is needless to say, were received with enthusiasm and deservedly encored. Miss Bolton pave us several musical selections, and fang "Dublin Bay" (with harp accompaniment), and in response to an encore for the latter sang " I was dreaming." Miss K. Olive, who is a special favourite with a Middlemarch audience, sang in her usual ploasing style " Going to market, and as an encore 'epeated the last verse. Miss Macgregor and Miss O'Conuell sang respectively "Twickenham ferry "anu "Tho harp that onca through Tara's Halls," both \,l which were well received and encored. One of tne most pleasing features of the entertainment was a piano duet by the Misses O'Brien, two mites, who acquitted themselves in a manner which not only diiplajed their own proficiency, but reflected great credit on tt eir teacher, who I understand is Miss Bolton. The male vocalists were Messrs Prentice, Crawford, Stenhouee, and M'Lintock, who, as time and space will not permit, must excuse me if I do not say more than that their contributions were, as usual, well rendered, and were highly appreciated by the audience. Altogether the entertainment was a most enjoyable one, and thanks aro due to the young lady who tonk the trouble to organise it. Skiu'EMBKR 21. — We have had our usual allowance of cold wind*, which tend to keep back the growth of glass and cereals. A shower would be extremely welcome, as the surface is gotting dry. Farmers' prospects are certainly brighter now that wf<ol aud produce aro on the rise. Farmers' League.— Our settlers have formed a fai mers' league, with Mr W D. Mason as president, aud Mr E. Clark hou. sec. It will no doubt shortly prove itself to be very much in evidence, and prove useful if the members will only stick together. The present business of the league is the railway tariff, which bristles with anomalies, and the league hopes, with the assistance of kindred bodies, to get the attention of " the powers that be" drawn thereto, and if poSfible have the anomalies rectified. Ball.— Our benedicts gave their ball on the 20th inst., inviting all and sundry. Everything was supplied in pi of usion. Dimedic musicians— via , Messrs Allen (vio'.iu) and Hamann (piano)-sup-plied excellant music, which was taken advantage of by a large and select number of dancers. The benedicts were congratulated on the success of their ball, which was pronounced the best of the sca«on. I think, however, that this Miccens was largely duo to the untiring efforts of our local boniface, Mr Poterts, ably backed up by his better half and other ladies.