WAITAHUNA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 29

WAITAHUNA.

Novkmber 25 —The annual pchool concert took place on Friday evening, 22nd inst., and in spite of wet dreary weather was a great success, the hall being literally thronged, while the children acquitted themselves in a manner most cicditable to their teachers. The concert was opened by a pianoforte duet by Misses Violet and Rose Patrick, two favourites with Waitahuna audiences, and who particularly distinguished themselves later in singing reapewively "Au Revoir" and "The meeting of the waters." " Daddy," a sadly nweet song, was sung by Miss F. Livingstone, and a song by " Uncle Ned" — " De Cabin on de Mississippi Shore " — nearly convulssd the audience, even while he abjured them "To wipe away de tears from your shiny-nigger face, And don't you go to mourning any more, But hand dat banjo down and I'll play a little tuns 'Bout de cabin on de Mississippi shore." Rose Patrick and Tillie Livingstone sang a Scottish song, "Loch Lomond," the rest of the children taking the chorus. Master M'Kenzie eang with true martial spirit " Boys of the young brigade." Recitations were given by Fanny Ryan (" The Pride of Battery B "), Mary Smith ("Phoenie Jane's Fainting Fit"), Bertie Ryan ("The Confes&ion ") and Ben Patrick (" An Appeal for Boys' Rights"). Nellie West, quite a little child, evoked a storm of applause by her execution of a pianoforte eolo. "The Better Land," tableau, and song, was very pretty. The performers were V. Patrick, T. Livingstone, 11. Patrick, Master M'Kenzie, and three tiny tots, May Watson, Pansy Ellis, and Charles Robertson. The concluding item was a farce, " Toby Tweedleton's Tail Coat"— really a clever piece of acting. I have not yet mentioned the songs by school children, which were very good, especially (if I might be allowed to pick a favouiite) "The sunbeams," by seven little girls. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr Patrick, Miss Nichol, Mrs Patrick, and the donors of flowers. Mr Ellis, tho chairman of the evening, welcomed the audience in his inimitable manner to the Echool picnic to which the proceeds of the concert are to be devotsd.

Obituary.— The remains of an old WaiUhuna West resident, Mrs John Sutherland, were interred in the local cemetery yesterday. The Weather.— Your correspondents from all parts of the country mention a continuation of rain, so it miwt be pretty general. For the whole of this month it has been miserable here— drip, drip, drip, varied occasionally by a heavy shower or a gust of wind. Of course the cropi are growing well, and the grass lands are luxuriant. Notwithstanding this, we would gladly spare a few of our sliowers for poor parched Queensland. On dit, the Good Templars are to have a picnic eomewhere about Manuka Gorge at the New Year.