WAIKOIKOI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 35

WAIKOIKOI.

Ntveniber 4. — The Waikoikci Cricket Club's arnual concert was held in the ha-Il on "Friday, 3rd inst. The night being fine there was a very large gathering from all parts of ihe. district. The (hair was occupied by Mr James Crawfoid, vice-president of the club, who, in has opening remarks, said' the club regretted the absence from the chair of their president (Mr J. R. Mackenzie), who has been laid up with illness for some' considerable time, but who, he wns pleased to say, .vas now on the way to recovery. The good news was received with much applause, not only because Mt Mackenzie has been president of the club for some yoars, and one of its most liberal supporters, but also because of the esteem m which he is held, not only by th& members of the Cricket Club, but also by the people of ths district. Tie programme provided was an excellent one, as the singing, etc., conclusively proved 1 , and though a few of the itema , named were not given, others equally good being given instead. The performers, -who all came from Gore, acquittedl themselves really well, and it -s safe to say that it is not often a country audience gets such a. treat in the •nay of and music as we got on Fridjy l^ght. * The programme was opened by i pianoforte overture by Mr Williamson. ?vlr Ceorge E. Robertson sang "The , deathless army" very well, and' his singing of it waa well received. Miss 1 D-. Archibald sang "Asthore" very_ sweetly. A duet, "Life's dream is o'er," by Mi* aud' Mrs Robertson, was sung with grea.t taste and, expression. Mr Allchurch sang the comic song " The plumber" in great style, and fairly brought, down the house, and m response to a decided encore he sang "Just tell him that you saw me." The song "Scotland yet" was nicely rendered by Miss F. Taylor. A recitation,' ' Mike O'Royle's Faith," by Mr P. Eadie, was given in this gentleman's well-known style^ and in response to a loudly-demanded encore he gave "A Good Pair of Lungs." A quartet, "The village chorister," by the Gore Glee Party (Misses 13. and M. Archibald and Messrs George E. Robertson and H. H. Harris)," was <=o capitally rendered that the audience .waa leud in its applause, and an encore was insisted upon " Early in the morning " being given in response. This brought the first part of the. programme to a. close. After an niterval of 10 minutes part II was opened by Mra Robertson singing "The holy city." Her rendering of this beautiful song was truly excellent, and the audience showed its apprecaartion in loud and prolonged applause-. In response to an encore she sang again a verse of the same song. A duet, "In, £he dusk of the twilight," was sung very nicely by th« i'lsses D. and M. Archibald, and as an encor< was demanded they gave "O wert thou in the cauld blast?" These ladiesi have on mor< than one occasion graced the 'Koi concer! . platform, and their appearance is alwayt greeted with much applause, and: the present occasion proved no exception to the rule. The song "Darkle land," by Mr Robertson, w-as well received, but this gentleman, was at considerable disadvantage in his singing by having to play his own accompaniments. lie has a powerful bass voice, which was heard to much advantage- in the quartets in •which he took part. The comic song "The. amateux fireman," sung by Mr Allchutrch, met with n'uch laughter and applause, and', of course, aa the comic t-len-jent is always much appreciated', the inevitable enccro that follows a ccmic song was demanded, and responded ta by Mr Allchurch giving another comic song 1^ "Bony Mary of Argyle" The rendering of l-hlk caused much merriment, and the laughtei was both loud and long. Miss F. Taylor sang "Good-bye, little girl, good-bye" very pleasantly indeed, and well merited! the applause accorded her. In response to an encore sh< gave "Comm' thro' the rye." A. recitation^ "The Washhouse Squabble," by Mr P. Eadae, was weil received, and: in. response to an en* core he. gave another recitation, the name o{ which I failed to get. A quartet, "Oh, wha will o'er the downs with me?" by the Gore Glee Party, brought to a close one of th'tf most enjoyable concerts ever held here. Mai Robertson acted as accompanist- for all uh« singers except Miss Taylor, for whom Me Williamson acted. Refreshments nov* handed Tound, and after all had partaken, sufficiently of ihe good things provided thet hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up till nearly 3 a.in. The music for th« .dance -was supplied by Messrs. George B, Robertson (piano), and Jamas Cooper and A. M. Simmers (violins), whilst Mr Hugh Mackay was M.C., and carried out his duties in. the capable manner for which he is famed*.On behalf of the Cricket Club Mr J. Beattia proposed a vote of thanks to the performora for their services, and to Mr P. Eadie, mta vhose ha-nds the getting of performers waa left, for the excellent way in -which he had i fulfilled the duly Jisked of. Mm by tfo Con.cjer.fe

IVJbmrinttee. After jniuch clapping of hands, •iSTid ...throo cheers given in appreciation of /tjie performers' efforts, Mr Eadie suitably re^ and said that Gore performers were always so well .treated at the 'Xoi that it was % pleasure to them/ to assist at 'Koi concerts. •!Shi«e -cheers were then given by the Gore Scorilingent, after "which they took their de-l-jparture for home. T!ha club sincerely thanked fihe ladies who so kindly provided the refreahHieiits, and all others in 'Koi who in any way helped towards the success of conoert.