TAIERI FERRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2257, 3 June 1897, Page 30

TAIERI FERRY.

May 26 — A very pleasant musical evening was held on Wednesday, the 19th inst., by the local choir, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mr Joseph Wright, of Henley, who has for a few months acted as the choir's conductor. He has gone to take up another business at Kaiapoi. During the evening the Rev. James Sornerville occupied the chair, and did much to keep up the pleasantness of the evening, himself contributing several piano solos, including Blake's " Grand March " and a couple of Mendelssohn's " Lieder Ohne Worte," all of which were artistically rendered. Mrs Greenwood and Miss Lizzie M'Kegg sang and played grandly together some duets, such as " Life's dream is o'er " and a song from "II Trovatore." Miss Nellie M'Kegg and Master Hedley Peattie were well received in giving recitations. Two straugers, temporarily located in the neighbourhood, were an acquisition for the evening's entertainment. Mr Trowens sang "The soldier's tear" in an admirable manner, and the fine old duet, "All's well," was excellently rendered by him and Mr Orange. Misses Nellie and Mary Peattie played with "precision some fine solos and duets, such as Mendelssohn's " Jagerlied," and the " Barbiere de Seville " ; Mr Wright gave with feeling " Ever of thee," and Miss Craigie was deservedly applauded for her fine rendering of " Love's o'd sweet song." The choir also t>ang several hymns in its usual good style. The chairman and Mr Peattie, both in their several capacities, addressed farewell speeche? to Mr Wright, paying just tribute to his earnestness, zeal, and ability in the conduct of the choir, and wishing him prosperity in his new sphere. I understand that -it is intended to constitute the choir into a society to take the place of the Literary and Musical Society, now defunct. The remaining members of the latter society met lately and resolved that it should cease, and made a present of its properties atjd small fund to the choir. Library.— A number of new aud popular books are being added to the local public library under the care of Mr Peattie, the librarian.